“Listen to this dream,” he said. “We were out in the field, tying up bundles of grain. Suddenly my bundle stood up, and your bundles all gathered around and bowed low before mine!” His brothers responded, “So you think you will be our king, do you? Do you actually think you will reign over us?” And they hated him all the more because of his dreams and the way he talked about them. Soon Joseph had another dream, and again he told his brothers about it. “Listen, I have had another dream,” he said. “The sun, moon, and eleven stars bowed low before me!” This time he told the dream to his father as well as to his brothers, but his father scolded him. “What kind of dream is that?” he asked. “Will your mother and I and your brothers actually come and bow to the ground before you?”
So it came to pass, when Joseph had come to his brothers, that they stripped Joseph of his tunic, the tunic of many colors that was on him. Then they took him and cast him into a pit. And the pit was empty; there was no water in it. (Genesis 37:6-10; 23-24)
Joseph’s dream seemed pretty extraordinary. He believed what God said, but his family was a whole different story. And, because of them, a series of events were put into action that challenged Joseph’s beliefs.
His brothers were so jealous of him, they first decided to kill Joseph. Instead, an older brother convinced the others to throw him into a pit. From that moment, it took about 13 years for Joseph to move from that pit to pharaoh’s palace.
During the in-between years, Joseph endured being wrongly accused of sexual assault, spent time in prison, and being forgotten. However, God remembered Him and His purpose for Joseph never wavered, no matter what Joseph’s circumstances.
One of the most encouraging things about Joseph’s journey is that after everything he went through, he was able to proclaim that God allowed it all to happen for his good and the good of God’s people. (Genesis 50:20)
Here are three more things from Joseph’s story that you can apply to your life:
Patience is Required When Waiting for Your Dream to Manifest
God can bring your dream to pass in an instant. Sometimes, however, there are months or even years before you see the manifestation of what God spoke into your heart. It took 13 years for Joseph. But, nowhere in scripture does it say that he ever stopped believing in his dreams. You shouldn’t either. If God said it, it will happen.
Humility is Required When Waiting for Your Dream to Manifest
God told Joseph that one day his family would be under his authority. He happily shared his dreams with his family. His brothers already didn’t like him because of the beautiful coat his father gave him. When they heard his dream, they decided to kill him. Perhaps things might have been different if Joseph had kept his dreams to himself and exercised a little humility. Everyone will not be happy hearing about your dreams. With humility, selectively choose who you will share yours with.
Being Content in Every Circumstance is Required When Waiting for Your Dream to Manifest
Joseph was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, falsely accused by pharaoh’s wife and thrown in prison. That’s enough to make anyone want to give up. But, not Joseph. He never grew bitter and he graciously forgave his brothers for everything they did to him. Joseph was able to see that there was a bigger purpose in everything that happened in his life. When you clearly understand that, you can find contentment in the midst of any storm.
If you feel like you’re in a pit right now, don’t allow those feelings to distract you from God’s truth.
The enemy may try to derail you, discourage you and defeat you, but God will not allow him to destroy you. Whatever you’re going through, whatever might come against you in the future, be assured that it’s preparing you to live in your divine calling. God will take you out of the pit and move you into your purpose, calling, and assignment.
