March 22

Attitude Makes All the Difference

“God did it. He sent me here … to preserve your lives … God has sent me here to keep you and your families alive so that you will become a great nation … Yes, it was God who sent me here, not you! … he made me counselor to Pharaoh—manager of his entire household and ruler over all Egypt … God has made me master over all the land of Egypt.”

Genesis 45:4-9 (NLT)

When it comes to attitude, Joseph is a shining example—one of those few characters in the Bible who has nothing but good spoken of him. Though he was abused, accused, mistreated and wronged, he refused to react. Instead, he showed great patience. His great attitude is reflected in how he repeatedly recognizes God’s sovereignty. Not Joseph’s power, not Joseph’s ability, but God’s.

It was this appreciation of God’s control over life that allowed him to stay the course through some pretty turbulent situations, and we hear it in his words. His right attitude was perfectly expressed in his own version of Romans 8:28. In Genesis 50:20 he said, “As far as I’m concerned, God turned into good what you meant for evil … so I could save the lives of many people.”

Joseph knew, apart from God, he could do nothing, but in His grip and doing His will, something good would happen—and it did. God did do good, and He will do good. Our attitudes of faith make all the difference.

Lord, grant me wisdom to see Your hand, and the ability to patiently watch Your good unfold. Bless not only me but the people all around me. Amen.