When we’re on our journey from Canaan to Egypt, we tend to be negative rather than positive. We tend to view life horizontally rather than vertically. We tend to be resistant rather than open to that which is new and unexpected. We need some course-correction techniques to break those habits!

When Jacob learned what had happened, the old gentleman shriveled in fear. Rather than saying, “Thank God, He is at work. Men, He loves us and watches over us. In His care we are all safe,” he responded negatively and horizontaIly.

Joseph’s brothers wanted to get out of Egypt, like, fast. When the sacks of grain were loaded on their donkeys, they immediately began their journey back to Canaan. But something happened on the first night they stopped to rest and feed and water the animals.

When you have done wrong to someone and haven’t gone through the necessary process to make things right with them and with God—when you haven’t fully dealt with your transgression—you become the victim of the very distress that you put that person through. “We feel the same distress that we caused him and saw in his face.”

I want to go on record here and state that I personally believe that some of the choicest saints in the family of God are those who have walked in integrity as God has blessed them with wealth by His grace, and they use it for God’s glory. Ministries I have been a part of have benefited immensely not only from those who have little of this world’s goods, but also from the Josephs of this and previous generations.

Joseph has been appointed, chosen, selected, prepared, and refined into gold by Almighty God. That’s how he has come to wear the ring. That’s how he has come to get the robe, the necklace, and the chariot. That’s why others are saying, “Bow the knee.” Joseph himself isn’t saying that; others are.

When the reward comes, thank God without pride. Only God can bring you through and out of the dungeon. Only God can reward you for your faithfulness. If He has, be grateful, not proud. Remember, with humility, that it is God who has put you there.

There stood Joseph right before him, meeting all the requirements. But even then, when it seemed appropriate for Joseph to volunteer, he restrained. The king, however, knew Joseph was the man for the job.

After those two full years, Joseph experienced a turning point in his life—on a day that seemed like any other day. That morning dawned like every other morning over the previous two years. Just like the morning that dawned before Moses saw the burning bush. Just like the morning that dawned before David was anointed by Samuel as the king-elect.

The process of discovering, processing, purifying, and shaping gold is a lengthy, painstaking process. Affliction is gold in the making for the child of God, and God is the one who determines how long the process takes. He alone is the Refiner.