• Maintain Inner Peace Despite Changing Circumstances
    The Watchtower (Study)—2018 | October

    • EXPERIENCING “THE PEACE OF GOD”

      3. In what situation did Joseph find himself?

      3 Joseph was about 17 years old when his own brothers out of jealousy sold him as a slave. Prior to this, Joseph had been his father’s favorite. (Gen. 37:2-4, 23-28) For about 13 years, Joseph had to endure slavery and imprisonment in Egypt, far away from his beloved father, Jacob. What helped Joseph not to give in to despair and bitterness?

      4. (a) While in prison, on what did Joseph focus his mind? (b) How did Jehovah respond to Joseph’s prayers?

      4 While suffering in prison, Joseph must have focused his mind on evidence of Jehovah’s blessing. (Gen. 39:21; Ps. 105:17-19) The prophetic dreams that Joseph had when he was younger would also have given him confidence that he had Jehovah’s favor. (Gen. 37:5-11) He likely poured out his anguish to Jehovah on more than one occasion. (Ps. 145:18) In response to Joseph’s heartfelt prayers, Jehovah gave him the inner conviction that He would be “with him” in all his trials.​—Acts 7:9, 10.a

  • Maintain Inner Peace Despite Changing Circumstances
    The Watchtower (Study)—2018 | October

    • GIVE JEHOVAH SOMETHING TO BLESS

      Joseph and the two men entrusted to his care are in prison

      How can we imitate Joseph’s example regardless of our circumstances? (See paragraphs 11-13)

      11, 12. (a) How did Joseph give Jehovah something to bless? (b) How was Joseph rewarded for his endurance?

      11 When we are faced with sudden changes, we might easily let worries about the future paralyze our life. This could have happened to Joseph. Instead, he evidently decided to make the best of his situation, thus giving Jehovah something to bless. Although in prison, Joseph worked hard to fulfill any task given him by the chief officer, just as he had done when working for Potiphar.​—Gen. 39:21-23.

      12 One day, Joseph was entrusted with the care of two men who had formerly served in prominent positions in Pharaoh’s court. Reassured by Joseph’s kind manner, both men disclosed their troubles and the puzzling dreams they had the night before. (Gen. 40:5-8) Joseph did not realize it, but that conversation would lead to a happy outcome for him. Although he had to endure two more years in jail, he was eventually released and, the same day, appointed as ruler second only to Pharaoh.​—Gen. 41:1, 14-16, 39-41.

      13. How can we give Jehovah something to bless regardless of our circumstances?

      13 Like Joseph, we may find ourselves in a situation over which we have little or no control. However, if we remain patient and work hard at making the best of our circumstances, we will give Jehovah something to bless. (Ps. 37:5)