Cultivate Good Character Through Difficult Times

Believers surely want to have good character, but this cannot be gained quickly and easily. Character is formed through everything that happens in our lives, whether through good times or difficult ones. Yet there are times when we respond to unexpected circumstances in less than the right way. We tend to give up, so that we do not grow in the character we desire.

How should we respond and change our perspective that God uses hardship to bring about good and shape us?

Joseph: Forged Through Life's Hardships

Joseph was Jacob's beloved son, the child long awaited, because his mother Rachel had previously been barren (Genesis 30). Jacob gave Joseph a very beautiful robe, and this made his brothers jealous. In addition, he received great dreams twice, which made him even more hated by them (Genesis 37:3-4).

Because of jealousy, his brothers then sold Joseph. In an instant, the course of his life changed completely. From the favored son who lived comfortably, Joseph became a slave in a foreign land, far from his family. He was slandered by his master's wife, then imprisoned. After helping the king's cupbearer, who would later help him get out of prison, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh's dream and eventually became a ruler in Egypt.

From Joseph's character, we learn how the decisions he made determined his spiritual growth.

1. Character 1: Recognizing God's Presence

They answered him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one who can interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them: “Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me your dreams.” – Genesis 40:8)

Joseph answered Pharaoh: “It is not I, but God who will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” – Genesis 41:16

Joseph had once worked in the very lowest position as a servant and in the very high position of ruler over Egypt. Whatever his rank, he was always consistent in his faith. Joseph was aware of God's presence and always relied on Him. He knew that without God, he could do nothing.

But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love, and gave Joseph favor in the sight of the prison keeper.” – Genesis 39:21

God was with Joseph, who never gave up or felt sorry for himself. He did not see difficult times as the end of everything, but chose to accept the situation. This is what made Joseph always take initiative and even give his best in everything entrusted to him.

Joseph could have compromised and given up when facing temptation, such as when Potiphar's wife tried to seduce him. He could have given up, protested, or become angry because his life path went up and down like a roller coaster: “Why do I have to go through all this? Why was I given great dreams that do not match reality? This is not fair!”

Perhaps you cannot accept the situation you are facing right now. You feel entitled to something better. Or, you are tempted to compromise with sin. How can you get through challenges like this?

Seeing Beyond What Is Visible

“So now, do not be distressed or blame yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life. 

“For these two years the famine has been in the land, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. So God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep you alive, so that many of you would be saved.”

– Genesis 45:5-7

Rather than focusing on conditions that were less than ideal or unpleasant, Joseph learned to understand what God's plan was. In the end, he saw that God used him to preserve the people of Israel and those who were experiencing hardship.

Joseph's character grew because, instead of complaining and blaming God, he saw God's presence in every hardship that came upon him. What about us? Do we use difficult situations to grow our character? Even in less favorable times, do we still believe that God has a plan behind it all?

2. Character 2: Not Selfish and Willing to Care for Others

Being accustomed to being spoiled by his father may have shaped Joseph into someone less sensitive. When wearing the beautiful robe his father gave him, Joseph did not think about the feelings of his brothers, who did not receive as much love from their father as he did. When telling his great dreams, Joseph also did not think that it would hurt them.

However, life in prison eventually changed Joseph's character. He became someone who cared more for the people around him.

Then he asked Pharaoh's officials who were being held with him in his master's house: “Why do your faces look so sad today?” They answered him, “We have had dreams, and there is no one who can interpret them.” Then Joseph said to them, "Do not interpretations belong to God? Please tell me your dreams.” – Genesis 40:7-8

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During his imprisonment, Joseph learned to show care for others and to express a sincere desire to help them. Even though, he could have been indifferent, been consumed by his own hardship, or been satisfied with his position as the prison keeper's favored prisoner.

Instead, Joseph saw that he was not the only one going through severe hardship and disappointment. Therefore, he was able to understand the needs of others who were going through something similar. Difficult times nurtured empathy, love, and care within Joseph.

Do difficult times shape us into indifferent and selfish people? Do we only dwell on ourselves, or do we choose to pay attention to others and offer help?

Difficult times can become a season full of despair, or instead make us grow like Joseph. Let us learn always to involve God, strive to give our best, and develop empathy for the people around us. If your present circumstances are not ideal, do not lose hope! God walks with you, just as He walked with Joseph. Amen.

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