Joel M Bradshaw

8So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh.

9Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.”

14Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.”–Genesis 41, part 1

It took that cupbearer two years to remember Joseph after he had promised to do so. It took God sovereignly arranging Pharaoh to have crazy dreams with no interpreter in sight in order to jog the cupbearer’s memory into keeping his word.

If you were Joseph, how would you have reacted? For many, those two years would have slow-cooked bitterness in their inner crockpots. Bitterness is just anger and disappointment stewing for such a long time that it becomes your identity. Joseph was called up and then immediately gave God glory. He wasn’t mad at God or grumbling about God’s plan.

When you trust God, waiting becomes an opportunity to work those faith muscles. When you depend upon God, each new day is another opportunity to show that trust. We see evidence here that Joseph had not grown bitter, but instead had maintained his faith. God was not his enemy, but was instead authoring his story for His glory.

When you live with this perspective, your challenges become opportunities. I have friends who view their anxiety that way. They are grateful for what they go through because it teaches them to depend upon God. I view my depression through the same lens. I get to remind myself and repurpose my story every day that God is faithful and that he is with me and cares for me. He uses our stories for his glory!

Joseph saw those two stressful years and trusted God. We know this because of how he talked about God before Pharaoh. His stress provided an opportunity for faith. What a challenge for each of us! Thanks for starting your day with me. Welcome to all the brand new followers. I’m honored to have my first cup of coffee with you.–JMB