The Pit: part 1
"Mom says some days are just like that." That's the memorable line from Judith Viorst's 1972 classic, "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day." Young Alexander's day is a series of misadventures, and as we read along, we expect his terrible day to turn around. There must be a happy ending coming. Or so we think.
As I finished reading this story to my daughter recently, she said, "That's it? That's the end of the story?" We desperately want more don't We? But unfortunately, we don't always get the answer to "why some days are just like that."
Joseph's story in the book of Genesis is one of heart-wrenching disappointment and joyful redemption. High's and lows, peaks and valley's, and just when you think you know what's going to happen next, the story takes an unexpected turn.
Joseph’s fascinating life is a rollercoaster of emotions and events. There’s redemption, but so many heartbreaking episodes: betrayal by brothers, false accusations by Potiphar's wife, and forgotten promises by inmates. But among the lows, there's a gleaming lesson.
Joseph couldn't change being sold into slavery or being unjustly imprisoned. But he could choose how to respond. Instead of bitterness, he chose a positive attitude. Instead of slacking off, he worked diligently. Instead of mistrusting, he offered kindness and insight to fellow prisoners. Joseph knew he couldn’t control everything, so he chose to control what he could: his actions and perspective.
So when we find ourselves in our own pits, facing trouble that we can't control, lets learn from Joseph and focus on the things we can control.
Maybe your boss overlooked you for that promotion. That's out of your hands. But how you react and continue to perform, that's entirely up to you.
And just as we started with Alexander's day that was "just like that," remember: some days will be tough, without rhyme or reason. But like Joseph, we can choose how we respond.
Joseph likely questioned God throughout his rollercoaster life. But he never stopped trusting God.
Like Joseph, we can trust that God has a plan and that He is in control. We’ll all face some dark days, but the light of His love pierces the darkness, and pulls us from our pits.
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” John 1:5
