Why Joseph refused to act like a victim
One of my favorite biblical characters is Joseph, whose story is told in Genesis 37-50. His father, Israel, loved him more than any of his other 11 brothers, but throughout much of his life he suffered unjustly. His brothers threw him into a pit and then sold him into slavery. He was forcibly taken from the land of Canaan to Egypt, where his new master’s wife falsely accused him. He was thrown into prison and could have been executed, but God protected him through all his trials. Eventually, he was able to use his gift of dream interpretation to gain the favor of the Pharaoh. From this one unexpected, miraculous moment in his life, he rose to second in command in all of Egypt, and God used him to save many people from starvation during a seven-year famine.
When Joseph’s brothers came from Canaan to Egypt searching for food, they were terrified that he would get revenge on them. However, instead of being bitter, hateful, or vindictive, Joseph chose to interpret his unjust, cruel treatment through the eyes of faith. His now famous statement has inspired believers ever since: “You intended to harm me,” he explained to his brothers, “but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20, NIV).
Wow. What an amazing perspective. Joseph had every right to nurse old wounds, play the victim, or demand retribution against his cruel brothers. But he didn’t do any of that. He chose another path.
In my work teaching, preaching, and ministering among the Karen and Karenni refugees in western Thailand, the Christians there have taught me much about what it means to live by faith, hope, and love, despite their awful circumstances and bleak futures. Along the border, most are stateless, not able to return (safely) to Myanmar nor free to travel (legally) around Thailand or to other countries. Nevertheless, they are choosing to focus on the future, not the past. They are thinking about the good they can do, despite or because of their circumstances, not about all the unjust, horrible things that happened to put them in their current situation.
They are going to school, providing emergency care for those who have been forced to flee their homes or villages due to the war, sharing the Gospel, providing medical care for free in the camps (due to cuts in foreign aid from USA), sharing food, and teaching children, sometimes in the middle of the jungle, after villages and schools were demolished by the military. Despite repeated bombings, destruction of their homes, and displacement, these victims of over 75 years of oppression and civil war are refusing to live as if their lives are over. They believe that God has not abandoned them, and they’re putting their faith into action, accordingly.
Joseph and others like him who have had to cope with an enormous amount of injustice, hardships, and suffering, have so much to teach us. The lesson is clear: If you want to keep from being defeated by your circumstances, keep putting your trust in God. Never stop believing that God can create an opportunity for you in the least likely of places and worst of situations.
You may not always be able to make sense of your experience or see how God is at work, but never give up hope. Never stop believing that God is going to do something good in your life—for your sake and for the sake of all those God wants to help, encourage, and bless through you. You have been chosen by God to serve his good purposes. Your life matters. Believe it and live it.
With the love of Jesus Christ,
Dr. Tim
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9, NIV)
The Spirit-Led Leader 