Genesis 39:19-23; 40:1-23 - “Overcoming Discouragement”
- Discouragement happens. We live in a broken world full of broken relationships, broken promises, broken dreams, and broken expectations. What are some reasons that you get discouraged in life? How are you inclined to handle discouragement?
- Joseph had more than enough discouragement to last a life time. What are some of his reasons for discouragement (see Genesis 37, 39 and 40)?
- Joseph moved form a favored position in his father’s house to being unjustly incarcerated. How does Genesis 39, verses17-23, remind us of Joseph’s trust in God? Why should Joseph continue to trust in God?
- Joseph’s character was shaped through harsh adversity. In what way is Joseph’s character displayed in chapter 40? How is the Lord developing your character through adversity?
- How can our dreams and a desire for perfection in all things rob us of joy in difficult circumstances? Why does an “all or nothing” approach to life lead to discouragement and broken relationships?
- What are some of Joseph’s reactions to discouragement? How could he be concerned about others feelings (40:7) when he was unjustly imprisoned? How could he be so confident of God’s presence, when his daily life was in shambles?
- Have you ever thought that God is unjust? Have you ever questioned that obeying God really doesn’t pay? If so, what’s behind those questions in your heart? What needs to be confronted as we face the discouragement of our hearts? What do we find in Joseph’s life that might help us in our discouraging times?
- Discouragement includes a lack of courage as well as a response to personal disappointments. How can other Christ-followers encourage us in our times of discouragement?
- When in prison, God was “kind” to Joseph (39:21). How is God’s kindness expressed in times of discouragement? How have you found His kindness to be a great resource in your discouragement?
- Philip Yancey, in his book Disappointment With God, writes: Through all the trials, Joseph learned to trust, not that God would prevent hardship, but that he would redeem even the hardship.” How has the Lord redeemed your hardships? How must you trust God in what you are facing now?
Ask the Lord to use this meditation of His Word to increase our love for Him and for each other as we seek to live daily by the grace of God.
How I have handled discouragement - curled up in a ball, become cynical, pulled away, stayed away, built a wall, disappeared, became a satellite, faked it, wore a mask, got caught up in my own turmoil, got trapped in downward spiral, dwelt on injustice, blamed, soured, fermented frustration, scornful, sulked, angry, despaired, stuck; YET - continued to pray, trusted God, shouted at God, wept, worshipped, waited with impatience, hung in there, continued to work, tried to focus on what was viable, contributed, wrote, asked for help, sought advice, struggled to understand, tried to find God’s path, meditated on scripture, kept home fires burning, reached out to others, felt an overwhelming presence of God, scripture became living and beloved, prayer life reached new depths of intensity and trust.
I think that I have allowed myself to be stuck dwelling on the injustice and been unable to let it go and move on. I am not sufficiently trusting that God knows the truth, understands my situation, loves me, and will take care of me. So I am not trusting God’s care for my future.
Feeling God’s presence and love is the greatest kindness. Feeling His assurance of love will see me through.