THE STORY OF JOSEPH

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 CIRCLE 01/01: JOSEPH: WHEN LIFE LETS YOU DOWN
"I'd like two Cheesy Gordita Crunches, please," I shouted towards a little purple box in
the Taco Bell drive through. A distorted robotic voice mumbled back at me with some
numbers, which I assumed was the cost. The mu ed noise was impossible to
understand. "It's either ve or thirty- ve dollars," I think to myself before pulling around
to hear the real total. I am relieved to see it's only $5.50 as I hold out my credit card
with a smile. They hand me a bag full of warm food before I drive o into the distance.

Anticipation de ned my entire drive home. I was looking forward to the massive meat-
lled treat I saw on the glowing screen. Like a kid at Christmas, I unwrapped my food
with delight, which quickly morphed into disappointment. The object in front of me
looked nothing like the picture at the restaurant. It was broken, messy, and sad looking.
I had been lied to by the food photographers at Taco Bell headquarters.

Sometimes life lets you down. Whether it was an unmet expectation at a fast food
restaurant, rejection from a dream school, an unexpected breakup, con ict in your
family, or a nonexistent social life, we have all faced the discouragement that happens
when life doesn't live up to our expectations. What happens when our experiences
don't match our expectations? Disappointment.

Scripture is stacked full of stories that discuss disappointment. The Israelites were
disappointed during their journey in the wilderness. Jesus' hometown was
disappointed with his homecoming. The disciples were disappointed when they
watched Jesus die on the cross. If you've ever felt the sting of disappointment, then
you're in good company. Let's examine the disappointment-packed journey of Joseph
—a key character towards the end of Genesis.

READ: Genesis 37:3-5; 21-24

Joseph was the favorite child. There was little secret about it. Dad was always quick to
compliment and slow to correct his youngest boy. His brothers toiled away in the hot
sun while Joseph was pampered by his parents. After his peaceful and restful morning,
Joseph stepped outside to see his brothers in the elds. The jealous brothers saw him
walking towards them on the horizon. Wiping sweat from his brow, one of them
whispered, "Here comes that dreamer. Let’s kill him" (Genesis 37:20 MSG).

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In a vengeful frenzy, Joseph's brothers beat him up, threw him into a pit, and plotted an
evil plan. They waved down a caravan and sold their little brother into slavery. Despite
their disgusting behavior, God was already working behind the scenes. Joseph was
ultimately sold to one of the highest ranking o cials in all of Egypt. He rose the ranks
and became the overseer of the entire palace.

READ: Genesis 37:36 & Genesis 39:19

At the peak of his success, the ruler's wife attempted to persuade Joseph into
questionable behavior. She tempted him, but he resisted. His hard-to-get approach
made her angry. After refusing her advances, she accused him of assault. This made
the ruler's blood boil, so he threw Joseph into jail (Genesis 39:20). Joseph did
everything perfectly, but he still ended up in prison. Talk about a rollercoaster of a story.
Joseph was sold into slavery, rose the ranks in the royal family, tasted great success,
then was thrown into jail. Through the twists and turns, Joseph went from pit to palace
to prison.

Here are three lessons about disappointment we can learn from this story.

God is present in your disappointment.

It's easy to think, "Why has God abandoned Joseph?" He didn't. This passage
explains that "the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he
did" (Genesis 39:23). Yes, he was in prison. Yes, he watched his life collapse because
of a lie. Yes, he was only eating stale bread and drinking murky water. However, God's
presence helped him push through the disappointment. The Lord was with Joseph. The
Lord is with you too. Cling to his presence in times of disappointment.

God wants you to win wherever you are.

God was with him and he still saw success. Joseph just had to rede ne it. The guards
eventually allowed him to oversee the jail. Sure, he wasn't leading a palace, but he was
leading a prison.

God wants you to win, but you have to be willing to win where you are. Even if you nd
yourself in a circumstance that feels like a jail cell, know that God wants to help you
succeed right where you are. Those prison moments may protect you. Those prison
moments may prepare you. God isn't waiting for your circumstances. He's just waiting
for you to turn to Him, then He will help you win.

READ: Genesis 41:39-44

God uses pain as preparation.

Joseph's incarceration was preparation. Ultimately, his time behind bars put him
directly before the Pharaoh (Genesis 41:14). His time in the pit prepared him. His time
in the palace prepared him. Even his time in prison prepared him. God used his pain as

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 preparation. When you're in God's hands, obstacles are actually opportunities. Without
the pain of a setback, you will never experience the glory of a comeback.

In God's hands, pain is preparation. God may use that rejection to give you a better-
de ned direction. God may use that disability to strengthen you. God may allow
something to leave you to make room for something better. In God's Kingdom, what's
next is always best. Let the time in transition serve as preparation.

When we look back at the story of Joseph, God brought something awesome out of
awful circumstances. Ultimately, the pit led to a palace. Then the palace led him to
prison. Then prison led him back to the palace. Every single pain point was
preparation. He went through some terrible circumstances, but God distilled some
good from his disappointments. God didn't necessarily cause it, but He was able to
use it.

Look at your life through the same lens. What disappointments are you facing? Partner
with God while you process the pain. It will prepare you. Share your su ering with God.
He will make you stronger. If your circumstances seem impossible and impassable,
give them to God. He loves bringing the possible out of the impossible.

He didn't necessarily cause it, but I know he can use it.

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TALK IT OUT 
Go through these questions with your circle. Be honest. Be open. Talk through the tough stu .

Q1: Can you describe a disappointing time when your experience didn’t meet your
expectations?

Q2: Genesis says, “the Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he
did.” How did his “success” in slavery and prison look di erent than the way you
normally think of success?

Q3: How do you typically respond to disappointments?

Q4: What kind of perspective did Joseph have during disappointing circumstances?
What can you learn from that?

Q5: Work as a group to make a list of truths about God when you are facing
disappointments. Which of these truths about God do you want to work on embracing
through your disappointments?

READING PLAN
Ephesians 1:7-10 

Luke 15:1-7 

Luke 15:8-10 

Luke 15:11-32 

Colossians 1:3-6 

Romans 3:22-24

Psalm 139 

Do the following with each passage: 

ASK– God to connect with you here. In prayer, start by slowing down and inviting God to be present.
Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you today.

READ– the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of the words and phrases that intrigue you,
reading them a second time if necessary.

REFLECT– on what grabs you. How does this passage personally relate to your own life and
experiences?

RESPOND– to the Scripture. Speak directly to God about what’s on your mind and heart. Look for ways
to live out what you’ve uncovered.

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