Character Tansformation Through Waiting

The text says that when Joseph saw the butler and the baker the next morning, he saw that they were dejected.

He saw the they were depressed and crestfallen.

He recognized in their faces that they were discouraged and disheartened in spirit.

And so, he asked Pharaoh's officials the searching question: "Why do you look so sad today?"

As if he was saying, "Why are you dispirited and gloomy?Cheer up! Something good is about to happen.

Joseph has the ability to discern the emotional state of the men by just looking at their faces.

And he has two options to these men:

Option 1: Don't care attitude.

"You're depressed, I'm depressed. We are all here in prison.

We are all in the same boat.

Let us have a pity party and cry as loud as we can until we all fall asleep.

Then, tomorrow, we will cry all the more louder.

Probably, others will join us also."

I don't like this option one.

Option 2: Encouraging attitude.

"You're depressed. I refused to join you.

We might be in prison physically but not emotionally.

I have chosen to be happy in spite of my situation.

You can do the same.

There is a reason for living each day. Hallelujah!"

You and I have two options whenever we see a brother or a sister feeling sad.

I hope and pray that you will always choose option two.

Joseph has chosen option two.

He looked at these men with encouraging attitude.

He could have felt bitter and depressed remembering what his brothers and now Potiphar did to him but he did not.

He could have invited himself to a pity party with these two other prisoners but he did not.

Why? Because he had learned to overcome his bitterness and resentment.

He had been healed and he could now help others to be healed.

In the same manner, while waiting, we must learn to care for others.

How do you develop your character in this times of waiting?

Don't be impatient.

Don't focus on your feeling of resentment.

Focus on what you can do to help others relieved their tensions.

You could put some bandages to those who have been hurt.

You could lift up the countenance of others who have been down.

Some words of encouragement can do a long way to the hearts of people.

But you see, there are people who have difficulty doing that.

Their unforgiveness and bitterness dominate their thinking.

They have already imprisoned themselves by their emotional instability.

But that is not the kind of character transformation that God wants.

We must not be focused on our own resentment and bitterness.

We must be focused on what we can do to help others.

Brothers and sisters, what are you busy at while waiting?

Let God transform your character.

Focus on others.

You must consider to do it slowly.

Here are some Scriptures for you to think about:

Ephesians 4:31-32 (NIV) "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you."

Philippians 2:4 (NIV) "Not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of others."

II. WHILE WAITING, WE MUST FOCUS ON INCREASING OUR FAITH ON GOD (vs. 8)