From the Pit to the Palace

Living with a wounded soul is like living in a pit, so to speak. It’s a place of brokenness, misery, depression, self-pity, self-hatred, regret and fear, among other things. The good news is, we don’t have to live with our soul “in a pit” all of our lives.

Joseph is one of the best examples in Scripture of how we should respond to unjust, unfair treatment. His story is amazing because it shows how he literally went from a bona fide pit that was a prison to living as royalty, second only to Pharaoh in the land of Egypt. (You can read his whole story in Genesis chapters 37-50.)

Here are the highlights of his journey:

• His brothers hated him because he was their father’s favorite son.
• They conspired to kill him, but then sold him to slave traders, who took Joseph to Egypt.
• Joseph was bought by Potiphar, whom he faithfully served for several years and became a trusted servant who ran the household.
• When his character was tested by Potiphar’s wife, who tried to seduce Joseph, he remained faithful to God, refused to betray his master, and was thrown in prison.
• Joseph became favored in prison because of his integrity and godly behavior. He encouraged other prisoners, but when they were released and could put in a good word for him, they forgot all about Joseph.
• Eventually, Pharaoh needed someone who could interpret his dream, and the man of God—Joseph—was the only one who could deliver! His reward was a lofty position of leadership that put him above all others except Pharaoh himself.

It was a long, hard, unfair path to greatness, but God was able to bring Joseph to the fulfillment of his destiny because he refused to forsake God and the way of life he knew was right. He didn’t let his problems tear him apart…he let them show the world around him how great God is!

In fact, Joseph eventually came to the point where he believed God allowed all of the trials he went through because they prepared him to save the people of Egypt, as well as his father, brothers and their families, from starvation during seven years of famine. In Genesis 50:20 (ESV), he tells his brothers…

As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. — Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

It’s amazing that the goodness of God is always greater than the suffering we experience if we choose to trust Him and diligently obey His Word as we’re going through difficulties. And we can actually be grateful for the way God uses the tests and trials to change us and make us whole in Christ, which glorifies Him and gives hope to others in the world around us!

Think about some things God has done in your life…ways He has protected you, provided for you, and proved His faithfulness to you. Write a prayer of thanksgiving for all He’s done, as well as what He’s doing right now. How does this perspective help you keep going forward in the midst of difficulties?

Ask the Lord to expose any type of “pit mentality” you have. List the thoughts and attitudes that come with it, and then write down scriptures that refute those lies.

Remember: You can be pitiful or powerful, but you can’t be both!