How did they do it?

As I was reading my 'anger' verses I came upon Proverbs 15:1 'A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger'. I thought about this verse and then I started to think about people in the bible who I felt were a good example of living out the first part of that verse. My mind wandered to Joseph. This was the dude who was sold to a traveling caravan of Egyptians by his own brothers. Then in Egypt, he worked for Potiphar and he was put in charge of many things in Potiphars house. However, Potiphars wife was a drama-mama who really wanted to get in the bed with Joseph. He resistes temptation, and well, that ticks her off. She is able to tear a piece of cloth off of Josephs tunic and later uses that as evidence to Potiphar that Joseph tried to rape her. So, Joseph gets put in jail. He is in there for a little while, being a great witness to those around him. He is put in charge of things in the jail. He helps two people get out of jail, because he interpreted the dream of the Pharoah, Unfortunately, those two people had used Joseph to interpret the dreams so they could get out, when in all reality it was Joseph who was the one who deserved to be set free. Well, Pharoah has another dream and one of the guys let go, tells Pharoah that Joseph is down there and can interpret the dream. Joseph interprets the dream, is released and is put in charge of many things in Egpyt. There comes a famine in his home land and his brothers have to come to Egpyt to get supplies and food. They are put before Joseph, they have no idea its him, but Joseph knows its them. He does not get angry. Instead he tests them and they return and it is then that Joseph reveals himself.

Wow, what a history! Joseph amazes me. Here would have been my story:
Susan gets sold by her family. She ends up at Potiphars house, grumbles around, gets thrown in jail for sloppy work. While in jail, gets bitter. Interprets the dreams, then gets really bitter at the two guys who did her wrong with the 'dreams' issue. Finally, gets to interpret Pharoahs dream, does it rightly. Then while in office, takes revenge on Potiphar, his wife, the two dudes and then makes his brothers slaves. Now this is very embellished, but it just goes to show that I would not be thinking to be as nice as Joseph was.

However, that is why I believe Joseph is a part of history, especially recorded in the Bible. His example is one worth following. One that you don't see very often these days. I know what my old nature, my sin nature wants to fall into! But, I am a saved woman of God who has the seal of the Holy Spirit within her. The Holy Spirit resides in all who believe. Only with the power of God and the prompts of the HOly Spirit can I follow the example the Joseph, let alone the example of Christ. Like Joseph, I need to be reminded that those who do not know Christ won't act like Christ and I don't need to hope against hope that they will seek to treat me well. I don't need to be surprised when they, like the two dudes in the story above, do me wrong for personal gain. However, it does not mean that I get bitter and do them the way they did me! Boy, if that were true, then Jesus would have let me take on my own cross. Yet, instead He took the cross for me, doing something for me that I did not deserve. That is our example folks, and it is a hard one. But, you know what, God looked down on Joseph and obviously granted him favor and blessings and freedom! Joseph knew to trust God and to endure. That word 'endure' is not heavily used in our vocabulary anymore. When it gets too hot or the pressure comes, we give up and we especially give up on the power of God to get us through. I am guilty of this too! But, I say, enough, I AM different and I need to live different. If I say I am a CHRISTian then I need to just suck it up and live like the one I say I follow; Christ. I am imperfect and in desperate need daily to let Christ do what He sees best. He obviously wants me to work on this anger thing and to learn how to deal with annoying people wisely, how to deal with those who cut me off on the road, learn how to love those who are absolutely unlovable. Because my life is now all about giving God the Glory and that is so worth it to me, because of what He did on the Cross for me and what He daily does for me!! Wooh, I am all fired up, can you tell.

So, folks, go out there and work on the hard things in your life.

1. Keep making time for Him, He's so totally worth it!
2. Get Yo Five in!
3. Go and Apply those five verses to your day, to your week, to your month!

You all totally rock my socks off and I am totally thankful for all of you who are participating in this blog!

See ya tommorow

NChrist, Susan