“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, but without your word no one will lift hand or foot in all Egypt.” Pharaoh gave Joseph the name Zaphenath-Paneah and gave him Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On,to be his wife. And Joseph went throughout the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:44-45 NIV
There are few stories in the Bible that I love more than the story of Joseph. I love this story because he is the antithesis of ‘victim,’ when the World would have more than allowed and accepted him to assume the victim’s role and identity. He was his dad’s favorite. His brother’s hated him. He was taken from a life of privilege to a life of a slave. The Bible tells us in everything that he did as a slave he found favor in his masters eyes and was entrusted with all things. He was forgotten for two years by the man he helped prepare to leave prison. In every way, he was victimized…but Joseph was no victim. Regardless of his situation, he was a victor.
I have a hard time relating to victims and often that is interpreted that I am a callous guy. The reality is that I am a crier. I am first to cry when watching a movie, hearing someone’s story of victory after trial and seeing God’s gifts in most things. I mourn when I see a sister or brother walking with shoulders down, expectations gone, purpose denied. I mourn when anyone who claims to be God’s son or daughter, walk in defeat. This behavior, this victim mentality is the antithesis of what being God’s son or daughter must look like.
Joseph could have easily told Potiphar, “no, you don’t understand, I am Jacob’s son in the lineage of Abraham whom God made his chosen people.” He could have told the prison warden, “I am not a criminal but the guy who walked around in the privilege and splendor that comes from being Jacob’s son.” When given the opportunity he could have told Pharaoh, “I am unjustly here. I was unjustly sold. I was unjustly imprisoned. I was unjustly forgotten.” All of this was true, but Joseph understood that he was God’s son and a victor because he was God’s son.
“Before the years of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph by Asenath daughter of Potiphera, priest of On. Joseph named his firstbornManasseh[e] and said, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” The second son he named Ephraim and said, “It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering.” Genesis 41:50-52 NIV
Even when made the #2 guy in the most powerful Country in the World at that time, Joseph accepted and acknowledged who and whose he was. He reflected on his father’s household (his past) and called Egypt ‘his land of suffering’ (his present), all the while walking with shoulders held high, purpose accepted and performed at the highest level while unjustly placed where he was living. Joseph chose victory or victim. Even when Pharaoh assigned him a new Egyptian name, Joseph knew where his identity lay, and that was at the feet of God the Father, in whom he entrusted and accepted all things.
Can I be direct with you? If not, you should stop reading now and let’s stay friends. Being unhappy is a choice. We have the power to reject unhappiness as God’s daughters or sons by simply saying “Father, I trust and surrender to your plans for me.” No one makes you mad. You allow yourself to get mad. No one causes you to be discontent. You choose discontentment over the joy that a grateful heart accepts in any situation. God always delivers to those accepting his perfect plan and purpose for their life. In order to experience this peace, joy, contentment and hope, we have to accept that our circumstances are not an accident. Nothing, absolutely nothing is ‘accidental’ to our Father in Heaven.
So we have a choice. Victim or victor. Victor being defined by our Father in Heaven versus the fleeting accomplishments, titles and stuff that Satan will deliver into our lives to sew discontent and despair if we allow him.
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in his wonderful face
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace”
So choose to be like Joe! Accept where you are and use every God-given ability in this circumstance. Remember, God loves and rewards a cheerful giver. In the same way, those who thrive with little will be entrusted with much by our Father in Heaven.
If you are the daughter or son of the King of all kings, act like it! You are loved.