Why Are You So Sad?

Read Genesis 38-40
 
Gen 40:6-7 When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. 7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why are your faces so sad today?”
 
JOSEPH’S question to the baker and the cupbearer whom Pharaoh had imprisoned exhibits compassion’s power to help hurting lives – an affect your own. “Compassion” means “to suffer with others”. In his own suffering, Joseph understood the others’ sadness and sought to help them with a simple question. Ready to ease their burden for the moment, Joseph didn’t know the question was another step in God’s compassionate plan to redeem his own misery and even to save mankind.
    See the power of godly compassion. Unjustly accused in a miserable prison, Joseph could have easily used his prison authority with an angry, vengeful spirit. But even here, “the Lord was with him” (Gen 39:21), and Joseph acted with the Lord’s love. “Why are your faces so sad today?” became a doorway to a new life.
    The question caused Joseph to learn of the dreams the two men had each experienced. The interpretation of their dreams gave Joseph a reputation that would eventually send him to be second only to Pharaoh. Evil had attacked Joseph’s life, but then the compassionate God stepped in to offer Joseph the opportunity to respond.
    Yes, caring questions can seem of little consequence. Perhaps you might help someone for a moment. That is a gracious act of love! Or, in God’s powerful work, you might open a doorway to help someone see how God values them. Remember God’s love for you in the “unjust” times. Trust God will help others. Give your time to stop and listen to someone who needs care. Who knows? It may change a life – even yours.
 
Look and See: Are you aware of those around you?