What Joseph Can Teach Us about Overcoming Adversity

Whatever you’re going through today is preparing you for the future.

Joseph was thrown into a dungeon. He heard as people negotiated for him. That was his introduction to negotiation–a skill that would greatly help him when he became the Prime Minister years later.

A skilled negotiator knows the appropriate things to say at different times. Joseph knew shepherds were an abomination to Egyptians. He used that knowledge skillfully to get a good bargain for his people. (See Genesis 46:31-34 and Genesis 47:1-6)

When he sat in that dry pit, he listened as merchants haggled over him. He came away with his knowledge about the principle of exchange–how men can receive value in exchange for things. He utilised that same principle of exchange many years later when Egyptians came to him for food and he took their property in exchange for food. (See Genesis 47:13-27)

As the head of the house of Potiphar, he learnt about administration. He handled men, money and resources effectively. He was so good that his master left everything in his care. Potiphar’s house was a place of learning and unlearning. He learnt about delayed gratification. He understood first hand about self-control and restraint. (See Genesis 39:1-15)

He learnt humility. He learnt how to take orders. He also unlearned how to live with privileges. No more coat of many colours. No more preference. He unlearned the sense of entitlement that he had while living with his father. Many years later, what he learnt and unlearned in Potiphar’s house positioned him to be one of the best leaders in crisis.

Prison taught him interpersonal skills. He developed good communication skills that threw him up as a natural leader in prison. He developed good listening skills. Prison taught him leadership (See Genesis 39:19-23). Over time, he had discovered his penchant for dreams and had worked on it. He had learnt over time that his dreams were valid. So when a dreamer met other dreamers in prison, he knew their dreams were valid. He could identify with them. He learnt empathy right there. (See Genesis 40 and Genesis 41:1-13)

But he also learnt a bit about culture in prison. That was why he immediately shaved his beard when he was called by Pharaoh (See Genesis 41:14). He had learnt that Egyptians prefer men to be clean-shaven. Prison was a major learning curve for him. That understanding of culture was why there was no objection when Pharaoh made a non-citizen the Prime Minister of the country.

Never discount your experiences. Don’t throw away your pain. Your pain is a reflection of your purpose. Your experience is a pointer to where you are going. Life may seem like a puzzle right now but everything will add up in just a short time.

Selah.