When God calls us to a purpose, it rarely comes with an easy path. Consider Joseph, whose journey from favored son to Egyptian prisoner to second-in-command of Egypt teaches us profound lessons about confronting our fears and insecurities while pursuing God’s calling. We are all confronted with many challenges in our world today. We see and hear so much turmoil that is often is overwhelming to the point that worry begins to burden our minds. While the concerns are real – it is often during these difficult times that God is actually preparing us for the work ahead. We should listen and prepare carefully during this time.
The Weight of the Call
Joseph’s story begins with dreams—divine visions that pointed to his future leadership (Genesis 37:5-11). Yet these dreams didn’t immediately lead to glory. Instead, they sparked jealousy among his brothers, resulting in his sale into slavery and eventual imprisonment. How many times must Joseph have questioned these dreams during his darkest moments?
Like Joseph, we often face situations that seem to contradict God’s promises. Perhaps you’ve felt God calling you to ministry, to start a business, or to step into leadership, but your current circumstances appear to be the opposite of that calling. As the apostle Paul reminds us, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7, NAS).
Preparation in the Pit
What’s remarkable about Joseph’s time in Potiphar’s house and in prison is that he didn’t allow his circumstances to defeat him. Scripture tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer” (Genesis 39:21, NAS). Even in confinement, Joseph developed his leadership abilities, managed responsibilities, and maintained his integrity.
This teaches us a crucial lesson: What we perceive as setbacks often serve as God’s training ground. Every challenge Joseph faced prepared him for his ultimate purpose. The administrative skills he learned as Potiphar’s servant and prison manager became invaluable when he later governed Egypt.
“Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-3, NAS).
Confronting Our Insecurities
When Pharaoh summoned Joseph to interpret his dreams, Joseph could have let insecurity paralyze him. After all, he was:
- A prisoner facing a king
- A foreigner in a strange land
- Someone who had previously interpreted dreams but saw no immediate benefit
- Responsible for advising on matters that could affect an entire nation
Yet Joseph’s response is telling: “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh an answer for his welfare” (Genesis 41:16, NAS). Instead of focusing on his inadequacies, Joseph redirected attention to God’s adequacy. This demonstrates a crucial principle: Our insecurities often stem from focusing on our own capabilities rather than God’s faithfulness.
Preparing for Difficulties While Maintaining Faith
Joseph’s interpretation of Pharaoh’s dreams came with a sobering reality: seven years of abundance followed by seven years of severe famine. Rather than being paralyzed by this frightening future, Joseph immediately proposed a strategic plan (Genesis 41:33-36). This teaches us two vital principles:
- Acknowledge Potential Challenges “The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the naive go on and suffer for it” (Proverbs 22:3, NAS). Joseph didn’t ignore the coming difficulties but prepared for them wisely.
- Act with Confidence in God’s Provision “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NAS).
Moving Forward Despite Fear
What if Joseph had allowed fear to override his faith? What if he had declined the enormous responsibility of preparing Egypt for famine? The consequences would have been devastating not only for Egypt but for God’s chosen people, who were later saved from starvation through Joseph’s position and preparation.
This reminds us that our calling often extends beyond ourselves. When we allow fear to hold us back, we might be hindering not just our own destiny but God’s plan to bless others through us. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you… for God has not given us a spirit of timidity” (2 Timothy 1:6-7, NAS).
Practical Steps for Today
- Acknowledge Your Fears Bring your fears before God honestly. “Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you” (Psalm 55:22, NAS).
- Focus on Preparation Like Joseph, use your current situation to develop skills and character that will serve your future calling.
- Remember God’s Faithfulness Keep a record of God’s past faithfulness to encourage you in present challenges. “Remember His wonders which He has done” (Psalm 105:5, NAS).
- Take Action Despite Fear Move forward in small steps, trusting God’s guidance. “The Lord is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you” (Deuteronomy 31:8, NAS).
Conclusion
Joseph’s journey from the pit to the palace wasn’t just about personal triumph—it was about God’s sovereign plan working through human weakness and fear to accomplish divine purposes. Your calling may seem daunting, and the path ahead unclear, but remember: the same God who elevated Joseph from prisoner to prince is faithful to complete His work in you.
“Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6, NAS).
Your fears and insecurities don’t disqualify you from God’s calling—they qualify you for His strength. Like Joseph, you may face pitfalls and prisons on your way to your purpose, but these are often the very experiences God uses to prepare you for your destiny. Move forward in faith, knowing that God’s calling always comes with His enabling.
