Genesis 41:14-41

In a study of 300 highly successful people like Franklin D. Roosevelt, Helen Keller, Winston Churchill, Albert Schweitzer, Mahatma Gandhi, and Albert Einstein, it was revealed that one-fourth had handicaps such as blindness, deafness, or crippled limbs. Three-fourths had either been born in poverty, came from broken homes, or at least came from exceedingly tense, disturbed situations. 

People don’t succeed in life because they were fortunate enough to be given a life totally absent of problems. In fact, it is because of the personal problems they faced that they became strong survivors. You can choose to leap over the obstacles that you face, or you can let them overcome you.

Joseph was a man who knew how to survive despite the tremendous difficulties that he faced. He was hated by his own family, sold into slavery, imprisoned even though innocent and forgotten for years by those he helped—and he still survived. God used him to teach a nation how to survive in the midst of a crisis.

Every one of us is going to go through times of difficulty—when trouble and sorrow threatens the stability of life—but God will help us to get through these threatening times. He will help you!

In the midst of a crisis, stay spiritually minded (vv. 14-16). What did Pharaoh say about Joseph after his correct interpretation of Pharaoh’s dream, and what happened (vv. 38-41)? Don’t think God is out to get you; keep your heart and mind right with Him. He loves you and wants to help you to survive the crisis. He will give you what you need to carry on.

When in crisis, it’s good to devise a survival plan. Joseph had one (vv. 34-36). You have the best strategy book in the world: the Bible.

A crisis can break down your faith. Don’t let this happen. Believe that God will see you through. See Psalm 50:15, and Psalm 121. Call upon Him. He will keep you and watch over your life.