Can You Maintain Character Through Suffering?

Let's look at 5 ways in the Bible that the story of Joseph shows us his suffering. Like him, we can look beyond these afflictions to live a life of Godly character!

Psalm 105:19 NLT reads, "Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph's character." Until the time came to see the dreams or promises of God fulfilled in his life, Joseph went through some things...some tough things! Can you identify? I surely can. Having a severe, chronic pain condition can be difficult. Maybe you are struggling right now...,maybe in a different way...but I know that the Word of God is full of examples to help us until we come through our situation or our until our promise is complete.

There are 5 situations that Joseph endured before coming to a place where his dreams were fulfilled:

1. Joseph was rejected.

2. Joseph was thrown into a pit.

3. Joseph was sold into slavery.

4. Joseph was sent to prison.

5. Joseph was forgotten.

Let's look at this essential list that will take us through different pieces of Joseph's suffering to show us a way to live in abundant power and authority. We can live victorious lives...in spite of suffering. We can maintain Christian character through every circumstance...even the hard ones.

Essential #1 - Rejection

Joseph was rejected by the very people who were supposed to love him...his family. Ouch! His brothers were very jealous of the fact that he was favored by his father, not to mention he was having dreams that pointed towards his future, elevated position. Are you feeling rejected today?

The enemy of our souls knows that we are favored and anointed for God's purpose. And rejection is one of those feelings that he loves to use, especially in our situations of duress. We can feel extremely betrayed through rejection., whether that be through sickness (betrayal by our own bodies) or rejection from others...especially those who are supposed to love and protect us. Rejection causes us to suffer.

Stay fruitful by reminding yourself:

- Jesus understands rejection. "He is despised and rejected of men;" (Isaiah 53:3)

- If we love Jesus, we will endure rejection at some point. In other words, get used to it. "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you." (John 15:18)

- If we live for Jesus, we will never be rejected by Him. This is a beautiful promise! "For the Lord will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance." (Psalms 94:14)

These reminders will keep our focus on Christ so that we can continue to be like Him...even in those times of rejection!

Essential #2 - The Pit

Joseph was thrown into a dark and lonely pit. I'm sure he was frightened at this point. His brothers were very serious about his demise. He was isolated...cut off from everyone. This is not the future that he thought he would have. Are you feeling all alone in your situation?

We can move into a very isolated place through suffering. The enemy wants nothing more than to pull us off to the side, keep us in the dark, and make us feel like nobody cares at all! Suffering can feel like we have been thrown into a deep, dark pit.

Take heart! You will not be here forever, Remind yourself of all the times that God has truly pulled you out of this place of darkness. Will you trust Him in the meantime?

- He pulled you out of that pit of sin! Psalms 40:2 says, "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings."

- If you fall into the pit, the Good Shepherd will not leave you. He will come searching for you. He will pull you out. In fact, He will leave the 99 to find you, that 1 lost sheep (Matthew 12).

Knowing that God will never leave you all alone and in darkness should be of great encouragement when you find yourself in this pit. It's only temporary. Trust Him!

Essential #3 - Slavery

Joseph was sold into slavery. He was held in bondage. His hands were immobile. He was forced to move where and when he was told move. But in this degrading position, Joseph became the favorite slave of slaves. Know this, my friend, that by serving God, you are enslaved to Him! This can help you in your plight of suffering.

We often feel bound by our suffering. But even in suffering, we can be free. That is...if we remember that there is no earthly thing, person, sickness, pain, situation, or circumstance that can hold our spiritual selves captive! Even in this position we find favor with the mighty God of heaven! And we have been given authority. This is freedom! Freedom within that circumstance! Where the Spirit of God is...there is freedom (2 Corinthians 3:17)!

"But even in suffering, we can be free. That is...if we remember that there is no earthly thing, person, sickness, pain, situation, or circumstance that can hold our spiritual selves captive!" – Pastor Erin

Essential #4 - Imprisonment

Joseph was thrown into prison. He was wrongly accused and sentenced to serve time in a cell. He was cut off from the rest of the world.

We can feel trapped in suffering. But there are things that we can do to set our hearts free during this time.

- Praise God! Praising God when trapped, causes the enemy to become confused. It causes chains to fall and prison doors to swing wide open. "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him for the help of His countenance" (Psalm 42:5 NKJV). Lift your weary hands and begin to praise Him. This is how you make it out! This is how Paul and Silas were set loose (Acts 16:25).

- Pray! Prayer can right the wrong. It can do what our earthly intentions cannot. It allows us to go directly to the throne room of the King of kings, who has the position of prominence to determine your ultimate fate. When Peter was in prison they had a prayer meeting...went straight to the One in charge...to free him (Acts 12:5).

Essential #5 - Forgotten

Joseph felt forgotten. Right before he was elevated and saw his dreams come true, Pharaoh's cupbearer forgot to tell the king about how he had interpreted dreams. And it was another 2 years before he was remembered, Do you feel forgotten in your situation?

Suffering in a long-term or chronic way can often make you feel forgotten to the world. I see other people healed. I watch other people with short-term illness receive so much prayer and attention. Maybe you had a loss or suffer in another way and you feel overlooked as you continue in this pain, day after day.

Meet El Roi (Genesis 16). El Roi means "God of sight." God sees you! He calls you by name and knows the number of hairs on your head (Luke 12:7). So do not ever think that He has forgotten someone as precious as you, His very creation.

A Place of Abundance

The finality of Joseph's story was one of God taking the compilation of his sufferings to a place of abundance! We see his faithfulness and read of his ability to oversee a devastating circumstance. He named one of his children Ephraim, meaning "fruitful through affliction." The end result of our earthly suffering, whatever that might be, is an eternity with no more crying. No more sickness or pain. But for now...people are watching. We can endure and maintain Christian character. We have the encouragement in His Word to do so. Let me know what you think in the comments section. Please share and subscribe to my blog site for more!