Embracing the Season of Challenge: A Lesson from Joseph

I recently had a conversation with a good friend that left me reflecting on something powerful. Both of us admitted that we’re currently in a season of challenge, a time that seems to be testing our patience, our faith, and our perseverance. What’s uncanny is how my friend and I seem to be walking parallel paths in life, often experiencing the same struggles at the same time. It’s almost as though we were meant to face these moments together.

I believe God gives us the support we need right when we need it most. For me, that support comes in the form of this amazing friend who not only listens when I vent but also challenges me to grow. We have a unique bond where we can share our struggles, but we don’t just stop there. We push each other to examine the heart of the issue, to ask tough questions, and to face the uncomfortable truths that often lie beneath the surface. This kind of friendship, built on trust and accountability, is a rare gift. She doesn't let me get away with excuses, and I don’t let her. Instead, we hold each other up, encouraging one another to rise above the challenges that life throws at us.

But I digress...

In the midst of this conversation, we started talking about how God has a plan for us—even in our pain. I mentioned that I kept thinking about the story of Joseph in the Bible. It might sound strange at first, but I truly believe there’s something in his journey that resonates with where I’m at right now. So, let’s pause for a moment and unpack his story together.

Joseph was a young man who was dearly loved by his father, Jacob. He was favored, given a beautiful coat, and blessed with the ability to dream and interpret dreams. But his brothers, filled with jealousy, couldn’t stand the attention Joseph received. In a cruel twist, they sold him into slavery, effectively stripping him of his favored status. What followed was a series of heartbreaking events, but Joseph’s story doesn’t end there.

Though Joseph was now a slave, he didn’t allow his circumstances to define him. He worked hard, earning the trust of his master, Potiphar. However, things took another turn when Potiphar’s wife falsely accused Joseph of a crime, resulting in his imprisonment. Once again, Joseph found himself in a painful and unjust situation. But here's where the story takes a remarkable turn: even in prison, Joseph didn’t let bitterness or despair take root. He excelled. He didn’t wallow in self-pity. Instead, he focused on doing his best with whatever he was given.

In fact, Joseph's reputation for excellence reached the prison warden, who entrusted him with overseeing the other prisoners. While there, Joseph helped interpret the dreams of two of Pharaoh's servants, which ultimately led to him being remembered when Pharaoh had troubling dreams of his own. Pharaoh summoned Joseph from prison, and with his God-given gift of interpretation, Joseph not only solved Pharaoh's dilemma but also found himself promoted to the second most powerful position in all of Egypt!

The moral of Joseph’s story is clear: even in the darkest, most challenging seasons, favor can still find you. Joseph didn’t wait for his circumstances to improve before he excelled. He didn’t use his pain or unfair treatment as an excuse to give up. Instead, he leaned into his purpose, working diligently in every season, even when it seemed like the odds were stacked against him.

This lesson has been incredibly meaningful for me as I navigate my own season of challenge. Life has a way of bringing us through seasons that feel difficult, dry, or even unfair. But I’m learning that these seasons are not without purpose. Often, they are the most fruitful times for personal growth and reflection. They can either elevate us or hold us back, depending on how we choose to respond.

The real question is: Will we allow ourselves to grow, to learn, and to shine through our trials? Or will we get stuck in a cycle of misery, resisting the lessons that these challenging seasons offer?

As for me, I choose to learn and grow. I choose to believe that even in the midst of difficulty, there is a purpose, and that there are opportunities to shine—just as Joseph did. The season I’m in doesn’t have to define my future. How I respond to it, however, will.