Yesterday, we looked at the Apostle Paul and how he managed to remain stubborn in his call but tender toward people. Today, I want to examine the life of another Biblical example of Godly grit, and that’s Joseph. One of Jacob’s twelve sons — and his father’s favorite — he started his life as a rather cocky young man. He was daddy’s boy, and he unashamedly flaunted it in front of his siblings, so they became increasingly jealous and conspired to sell him as a slave. After making a deal to get rid of him and then telling their dad that he was dead, they washed their hands of his memory and were certain they would never see him again. However, God had other plans, and this was only the start of Joseph’s journey. Though now a slave, he was elevated and became the overseer of the entire household of his master, Potiphar. Then, in an unfortunate turn of events, Potiphar’s wife took notice of his good looks and tried to seduce him. While he was surely tempted to give into her advances, he stubbornly turned the other way and ran! Humiliated by the rejection, the scorned woman cried rape, and Joseph landed in jail. Despite another series of ups and downs, he remained unwavering in conviction, and eventually, he became a high-ranking official in the Egyptian government. Later, when famine struck Israel, his brothers traveled to Egypt looking for food, and though he could have turned them away because of how horribly they had treated him, he chose to help. He had mercy on his family because he understood that what happened to him at their hand was all a part of God’s greater plan and purpose.

My friend, learn from the life of Joseph. Though he had every reason to grow bitter, angry, and cold, he kept looking to the Lord and never lost hope. He was treated unjustly, placed in humiliating situations, and given many opportunities to go his own way, yet he stubbornly stayed on the path of righteousness. He let the God of love rule in his heart, and while he was ambitious and determined, he did right by people because he cared about them. Like him, pray for influence and wisdom, but don’t use your position for selfish gain. Be persistent as you pursue your destiny and never let setbacks stop you, but always employ your divinely-delegated authority to uplift others.