Bitter or Better

Joseph and His Brethren Welcomed by Pharaoh, watercolor by James Tissot (c. 1900)
Wikipedia picture

You know why I love the story of Joseph, in the Bible?  It's because of Joseph's attitude.  The bad doesn't get him down.  Well, he's human, so when bad things happened to him, he must have been thrown for a loop--but not for long.

The story begins with Joseph's brothers throwing him in a deep pit.  They were going to leave him there to die, but they took advantage of a passing caravan and sold Joseph to them, as a slave.  And you know what that means when you're a young teenager!  While working as a slave, a woman lies about Joseph and gets him thrown in jail.  (Take heart my "cloistered brothers," Joseph was blessed by God while incarcerated.)    God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams.  He was so good at it that the King heard of it.  Joseph interpreted the King's dream.  He was released from jail.  Eventually, he was given a high responsible job. It was because of this job that he was able to help his brothers.  (Yes, those mean, cruel, dastardly brothers!)  Joseph saves his family and tribe.
But my point is Joseph's attitude.  Twice Joseph was victimized.  But he didn't keep him a victim.  His attitude didn't allow him to be a victim.  He looked ahead.  He stayed positive.  He always tried to make the best of bad situations.

Remember Joseph when the bad things happen to you.