Being around those we live with for so long is hard. There will always be fun enjoyable times and then the difficult ones. The key is how we handle those difficult times, everyone knows how to have fun but can you still find joy and peace when you are angry?
We can see two different ways to deal with “annoying” family members in the story of Joseph. The story starts off with Joseph receiving (what I like to call) a Gucci coat from his father. On top of that, he has dreams where he thinks his parents and brothers will all bow down to him. Now that’s probably something you don’t want to be telling your 10 older brothers, but Joseph does anyway. Instead of working out the situation, they get really angry and beat their brother up and sell him as a slave to another country (Genesis 37).
Fast forward many years, there is now a famine where Joseph is from and his brothers are off to Egypt to buy food. At this point, Joseph has had some ups and downs as a slave, but is now the 2nd in command in the land of Egypt (Genesis 38-41). Joseph’s brothers now stand before him asking him for food and he has a choice; he could make them slaves in a foreign country just as they did to him or forgive them and welcome them with open arms. He chose the latter, and was able to provide food to his whole family through the famine (Genesis 42-45)
What will you choose today? Will you be angry and frustrated with those around you? Or will you choose forgiveness and find peace?
Ephesians 4:31-32: Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
-By Andrew, Program Coordinator
