Why Aren't You?

And Joseph came in unto them in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold, they were sad. And he asked Pharaoh's officers that were with him in the ward of his lord's house, saying, Wherefore look ye so sadly to day? - Genesis 40:6-7

In the above passage, Joseph was speaking to the butler and baker who had both been imprisoned with him.  Each of the men had dreamed troubling dreams, and when Joseph saw them the next morning, he couldn't help but ask, "Why are you so sad?"  My response to Joseph probably would have been, "Why aren't you?"  I mean, seriously, think about it.  Joseph was a prisoner.  Verse three of the same chapter tells us that he was bound.  He had been falsely accused.  His future was uncertain.  It sounds to me like he had plenty of reasons to host a first-class pity party.  Yet, there's no record that Joseph was sad.  Instead, we see him reaching out to others and putting their needs before his own.

And the captain of the guard charged Joseph with them, and he served them: and they continued a season in ward. - Genesis 40:4

Did you catch that?  He served them.  He, a prisoner, served the butler and the baker (other prisoners).  He didn't have to.  He could have minded his own business.  He could have done like we often do and grown self-centered and self-focused in the midst of his trial.  But no, Joseph displayed the right attitude by choosing service over sadness.

Life is full of trouble, and those troubles are bound to find each of us from time to time.  But when they come, how will we react?  Will we sink into solitude and despair, or will we, like Joseph, take the opportunity to reach out and help others in need?  It's something worth thinking about today. . . and every day, for that matter.