No Eeyore Here

You know that moment...when you see someone else get what you've been working toward or endlessly desiring, grasping toward hope for, expectantly waiting...THAT thing! Our human response is to judge or criticize or somehow write off that blessing in another's life because we fail to see the other blessings in our own life. When we place our focus on that perceived lack in our own life, we miss the God-designed moments that were intended for our growth and maturity...to deepen our understanding of God and His ways. That is, we look at those circumstances through our human experience instead of trusting and acknowledging him in our own lives (Proverbs 3:5-6).


If one is going to be sold into slavery, I imagine it would be best to be a slave in the house of the officer of Pharaoh! Think about it: Joseph was spontaneously sold to a passing caravan and ended up a slave to the man in charge of protecting the King of the land, the captain and chief of the royal guard, Potiphar (Genesis 39:1). As a slave, he spent significant amounts of time in this man's house and Potiphar actually handed all the duties surrounding the management of his household over to Joseph. "All Potiphar had to concern himself with was eating three meals a day" (Gen. 39:6, MSG). That's some serious trust! Potiphar did not even micromanage the situation. Why would he...I'm sure he was relishing his fortune!

Joseph was a foreigner who became a supervisor, yet remained a slave. While he did not have personal freedom, God blessed everything Joseph touched. God even blessed the household of Potiphar because of Joseph's presence, which Potiphar acknowledged (Gen. 39:3-5)! I submit this acknowledgement contributed to the favor on Joseph's life. Joseph also acknowledged God's hand in his life. He saw how God had orchestrated his position of authority and refused to sin against God and Potiphar when Potiphar's wife persistently lusted after Joseph (Gen. 39:7-10)  

There is no way Joseph could be so successful and be walking around complaining and moping about his plight! No way!! Have you ever seen someone who complains consistently? I always think of Eeyore, from Winnie the Pooh, when I see someone walking around with a cloud around them. EVERYTHING that donkey said was sad and negative, even his tone of voice was gloomy; even as a child, I found it irritating and confusing. If I remember correctly, Eeyore was not able to receive Pooh's love for him...though that did not keep Pooh from loving on him! My point: a gloomy person cannot receive love or blessings! Their perspective is tainted to the point that they cannot see truth, joy, and peace!

I don't know if Joseph loved Potiphar, but I know he respected him and his household, including his wife. Since Joseph was so attractive (Gen. 39:6), I am sure he had ample opportunity for some "fun" on the side. But his integrity and honor was firmly established; he knew who he was and what was expected of him. Joseph did not allow slavery to change him nor did his foundation crumble at the consistent difficulty (more on that later). Plainly, Joseph did not allow circumstances to taint him. I believe he really knew, in the core of his being, that God was acutely aware (Psalm 139) of him and had not left him abandoned (John 14:18, Deuteronomy 31:6) in a foreign land.

Questions for further thought: 

1. How is your perspective clouded so that you see things not as they actually are? What pain in your life is directing your perspective...as a lens skewing your eyesight?
2. How are your words? Do you speak failure or life? Do you speak fear or hope? Do you speak abuse or love? Do you speak judgment or grace?
3. What blessings have you been missing because of your skewed lenses? Gratitude aligns perspective. List things you're grateful for today...right now and every day!
4. What are you jealous of? What is the opposite of that? Isaiah 61: "instead of": Beauty instead of ashes, joy instead of mourning, etc. See if the enemy is trying to distract you from God's design and will. (I.e., If I'm jealous of someone getting a job when I don't have enough money to just live simply, I'm not celebrating their blessing and allowing room for resentment to reside within me...thereby, not trusting God that his plan for me is good and complete (Jeremiah 29:11-13).) The negative side of the "instead of" is a strategically placed lie the enemy wants you to believe so you doubt God. Increase your awareness of strategically placed lies!!

"Thankless children we all are, more or less, comprehending but dimly the truth of God's fathomless love for us." Elisabeth Elliot, Keep a Quiet Heart