Joseph-Thriving Through the Valley of Suffering
Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult
Feels / Suffering / Genesis 39–50
INTRODUCTION
OPENING TITLE SLIDE
• As we continue in our Feels series, the message today will cover what I believe is one of the most difficult valleys in life we will discover ourselves in, the valley of suffering.
• We are going to journey through one of the most powerful stories in all of scripture—the life of Joseph.
WHEN LIFE TAKES EVERYTHING SLIDE
• Some valleys last hours; Joseph’s lasted years.” Joseph was sold into slavery at age 17 (Genesis 37), imprisoned in his 20s, and elevated to a position of power at age 30 (Genesis 41:46).
• If your timeline feels delayed, you’re in good company.
• Many of us are not just in a valley—we’re living there: health, finances, family betrayal, false accusation, being forgotten.
• Joseph was a man who seemed to have it all, only to have it taken away, not once, but repeatedly.
• He was betrayed by his family, sold into slavery, and then unjustly thrown into prison.
• He experienced the deepest valleys of suffering, yet he didn't just survive; he thrived.
• His story is a powerful testament to a profound truth: God works all things—even calamity and immense suffering—for His ultimate glory and our good.
• Remember, we are trying to learn how to not simply survive the valleys of life but to thrive in them.
• The question is, how do we not just survive the valley of suffering but thrive?
• Joseph’s story shows three pathways God uses to grow people in the dark.
• Let’s see how we can not just survive the valley but thrive!
• We will cover various aspects of Joseph’s life as found in Genesis 39-50.
• Let’s begin in Genesis 39:1-10.
• Joseph became hated by his brothers in part because he was the favorite child of Jacob, and in part because Joseph came across to his brothers as obnoxious.
• His brothers were going to kill him but then decided to sell him into slavery.
Genesis 39:1–10 NET 2nd ed.
1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there.
2 The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.
3 His master observed that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he was doing successful.
4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned.
5 From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household for Joseph’s sake. The blessing of the LORD was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields.
6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well built and good-looking.
7 Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me.”
8 But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care.
9 There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
10 Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to go to bed with her.
SERMON
MAIN POINT 1 SLIDE
I. Thriving through suffering with integrity.
• Imagine your father asks you to go find your brothers in the field with the flocks to check up on their welfare and report back to him how the brothers and flocks are doing.
• You find them, and the next thing you know, they throw you in a well after they take away the tunic your father gave to you.
• The brothers want to kill him, but Reuben steps in and stops the killing.
• Your brothers throw you in a well and then sell you to slave traders.
• Talk about a rough day!
• Joseph finds himself in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.
• Genesis 39:2 tells us, The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.
• Joseph could have become so bitter at the injustice he had just suffered at the hands of his brothers.
• How did Joseph handle the valley of suffering?
• Even in slavery, Joseph did not compromise.
• He worked so diligently and with such character that his master put him in charge of everything.
• We can often be blind to God’s leading and to his kindness in the midst of suffering.
• Even when Joseph was sold into slavery, God was with him.
• Although Joseph was a slave in Egypt, the Lord did not forsake him; instead, He prospered him during his time in Potiphar’s house, which eventually led to his imprisonment under false accusations.
• His first advantage was that he was not a field laborer like many slaves.
• Joseph became a house servant for Potiphar.
• His master observes that Joseph carried on his duties with unusual efficiency and dispatch.
• This was due to the blessing of the Lord” (G. Ch. Aalders, Genesis [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991], 2:201).
• All was going well until Joseph caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife.
• The situation tested Joseph's integrity.
• She tries to seduce Joseph.
• In verse 9 Joseph tells her, There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
• Joseph knew his actions were about his relationship with God, not just a man and a woman.
• His integrity wasn't just about refusing temptation; it was about his consistent character.
• He worked as if his master's business were his own, not because he was being watched, but because he was a man of principle.
• This is what made his refusal of Potiphar's wife so powerful.
• It wasn't a sudden burst of goodness but the result of a life lived with integrity before God.
• He was not just saying no to sin; he was saying yes to his identity as a child of God, even when it seemed no one was there to see.
• As Joseph refuses her advances, in verses 8-10 he gives her three reasons for not accepting her offer.
WHEN TEMPTATION TESTS SLIDE
• Loyalty to people: “My master… has not kept back anything from me but you.”
• Loyalty to God: “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
• Loyalty to boundaries: “He refused… and would not listen… or be with her.” (v. 10)
• In verses 11-20, Potiphar’s wife makes a final attempt at Joseph; he refuses and runs out of the house.
• She grabs his cloak and then acts like Joseph tried to make sport of her.
• What is integrity?
• Integrity = integration: the same person at home, at work, and under pressure.
• Not sinlessness or instant vindication; it’s faithful consistency when obedience costs.
• Joseph loses his cloak (again) but keeps his character. (37:23; 39:12).
• Garments lie; character doesn’t.
• Given Joseph’s situation of being sold as a slave by his brothers, he could have been consumed by anger toward God and vengeance toward his brothers.
• Joseph maintained his integrity in the valley of suffering.
• All is well, right?
Genesis 39:20–23 NET 2nd ed.
Joseph’s master took him and threw him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. So he was there in the prison.
21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him kindness. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden.
22 The warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care. He was in charge of whatever they were doing.
23 The warden did not concern himself with anything that was in Joseph’s care because the LORD was with him and whatever he was doing the LORD was making successful.
MAIN POINT 2 SLIDE
II. Thriving through suffering with faith.
• “Integrity anchors the heart; now we need faith to wait while God works.”
• “Joseph’s ‘no’ to sin becomes a ‘yes’ to God’s timing—let’s watch faith work in the waiting.”
• This poor guy cannot catch a break.
• It goes from bad to worse for him.
• He went from slavery, which could have been much worse for Joseph, to prison!
• Joseph pays what seems to be a high price for his integrity.
• Doing right may make life more difficult, at least for a while.
• Joseph is in charge of the prison because God is with him.
• In Chapter 40, while in prison, Joseph has the opportunity to interpret the dreams of the former cupbearer for the king, as well as the former baker for the king.
Genesis 40:7–8 NET 2nd ed.
7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials, who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”
8 They told him, “We both had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them.” Joseph responded, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me.”
• Joseph tells the men that only God can interpret dreams and then proceeds to ask them to tell him their dreams.
• It is fascinating to note that Joseph interpreted dreams for others while his own dreams were deferred.
• He didn’t let delay become disillusionment. He trusted God’s timing (Genesis 41:16).
• Because of time, I am not going to go into detail; Joseph’s interpretations of the dreams came to pass, and he asked the cupbearer to not forget him when he was restored to his position.
• The cupbearer forgets about Joseph for two years until he finds that Pharaoh is having troubling dreams and tells Pharaoh about Joseph.
• Joseph shows us that we must remain faithful in the “in-between”—when the promise hasn’t yet become reality.
• Are we serving faithfully even when our own prayers seem unanswered?
• When Joseph is brought before Pharaoh, look at the exchange.
Genesis 41:15–16 NET 2nd ed.
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard about you, that you can interpret dreams.”
16 Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”
• Once again Joseph gives glory to God, saying that God would answer Pharaoh’s question.
FAITH THAT WORKS SLIDE
• Joseph’s example illustrates three key characteristics of valley-faith:
• Waiting faith trusts God’s timing (Ps 105:19).
• Working Faith: Stay faithful to little things in obscure places.
• Witnessing faith: gives God credit under pressure (41:16).
• Joseph could have been furious with God for everything that happened to him, but he remained loyal even when it seemed God had abandoned him.
• Yes, Joseph was successful in Potiphar’s house until the wife got him tossed into prison.
• Once in prison he was successful; he interpreted the dream of the cupbearer, yet he was stuck in prison for another two years.
• Joseph is placed second in charge of all of Egypt!
• Now, there is a little issue with the brothers.
• I did not cover this, but one of the things that made the brothers hate him is the fact that he revealed two dreams that God gave him in which the brothers would one day bow down to Joseph.
• This was so over the top that Jacob, his father rebuked him.
• Well, they say dreams come true.
• During the famine, the brothers came to Egypt.
• I am omitting many details due to time constraints, but the brothers did not recognize Joseph; he tested them and ultimately revealed his identity to them.
• By the way, they did bow down to him as God revealed to Joseph.
Genesis 45:1–3 NET 2nd ed.
1 Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants, so he cried out, “Make everyone go out from my presence!” No one remained with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
2 He wept loudly; the Egyptians heard it and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him.
MAIN POINT 3 SLIDE
III. Thriving through suffering with the right attitude.
• I will keep this point short.
• Joseph could have been very bitter about the actions of his brothers and his feelings toward God!
• However, Joseph maintained the right attitude throughout it all.
• When he revealed himself to his brothers, they were not only dumbfounded but also terrified.
• What would Joseph do to them?
• How would he pay them back?
Genesis 45:4–8 NET 2nd ed.
4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” so they came near. Then he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
5 Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!
6 For these past two years there has been famine in the land and for five more years there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.
7 God sent me ahead of you to preserve you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me an adviser to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
• Joseph was able to stay strong with the right attitude because he knew God had a plan, and now he knew the plan!
• As a final thought, when Jacob, their father, died, the brothers still thought Joseph would get his revenge on them.
• They thought the only thing keeping the vengeance of Joseph from them was the fact that Dad was still alive.
Genesis 50:18–20 NET 2nd ed.
18 Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, “Here we are; we are your slaves.”
19 But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.
• Verse 20 is powerful!
CONCLUSION
• Joseph’s story ends not with revenge but with a reframe: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
• The same God is with you in your valley.
• Integrity may cost you, faith may keep you waiting, and the right attitude may stretch you—but the cross and empty tomb prove He wastes nothing.
• So hand Him your cloak and keep your character; wait and work while He weaves; forgive and bless where you were wounded.
• Trust the God who turns evil into good—and let’s change lives by connecting people with Christ.
Joseph-Thriving Through the Valley of Suffering
Jeffery Anselmi / General Adult
Feels / Suffering / Genesis 39–50
As we
INTRODUCTION
OPENING TITLE SLIDE
• As we continue in our Feels series, the message today will cover what I believe is one of the most difficult valleys in life we will discover ourselves in, the valley of suffering.
• We are going to journey through one of the most powerful stories in all of scripture—the life of Joseph.
WHEN LIFE TAKES EVERYTHING SLIDE
• Some valleys last hours; Joseph’s lasted years.” Joseph was sold into slavery at age 17 (Genesis 37), imprisoned in his 20s, and elevated to a position of power at age 30 (Genesis 41:46).
• If your timeline feels delayed, you’re in good company.
• Many of us are not just in a valley—we’re living there: health, finances, family betrayal, false accusation, being forgotten.
• Joseph was a man who seemed to have it all, only to have it taken away, not once, but repeatedly.
• He was betrayed by his family, sold into slavery, and then unjustly thrown into prison.
• He experienced the deepest valleys of suffering, yet he didn't just survive; he thrived.
• His story is a powerful testament to a profound truth: God works all things—even calamity and immense suffering—for His ultimate glory and our good.
• Remember, we are trying to learn how to not simply survive the valleys of life but to thrive in them.
• The question is, how do we not just survive the valley of suffering but thrive?
• Joseph’s story shows three pathways God uses to grow people in the dark.
• Let’s see how we can not just survive the valley but thrive!
• We will cover various aspects of Joseph’s life as found in Genesis 39-50.
• Let’s begin in Genesis 39:1-10.
• Joseph became hated by his brothers in part because he was the favorite child of Jacob, and in part because Joseph came across to his brothers as obnoxious.
• His brothers were going to kill him but then decided to sell him into slavery.
Genesis 39:1–10 NET 2nd ed.
1 Now Joseph had been brought down to Egypt. An Egyptian named Potiphar, an official of Pharaoh and the captain of the guard, purchased him from the Ishmaelites who had brought him there.
2 The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.
3 His master observed that the LORD was with him and that the LORD made everything he was doing successful.
4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar appointed Joseph overseer of his household and put him in charge of everything he owned.
5 From the time Potiphar appointed him over his household and over all that he owned, the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s household for Joseph’s sake. The blessing of the LORD was on everything that he had, both in his house and in his fields.
6 So Potiphar left everything he had in Joseph’s care; he gave no thought to anything except the food he ate. Now Joseph was well built and good-looking.
7 Soon after these things, his master’s wife took notice of Joseph and said, “Come to bed with me.”
8 But he refused, saying to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not give any thought to his household with me here, and everything that he owns he has put into my care.
9 There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
10 Even though she continued to speak to Joseph day after day, he did not respond to her invitation to go to bed with her.
SERMON
MAIN POINT 1 SLIDE
I. Thriving through suffering with integrity.
• Imagine your father asks you to go find your brothers in the field with the flocks to check up on their welfare and report back to him how the brothers and flocks are doing.
• You find them, and the next thing you know, they throw you in a well after they take away the tunic your father gave to you.
• The brothers want to kill him, but Reuben steps in and stops the killing.
• Your brothers throw you in a well and then sell you to slave traders.
• Talk about a rough day!
• Joseph finds himself in the house of Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh.
• Genesis 39:2 tells us, The LORD was with Joseph. He was successful and lived in the household of his Egyptian master.
• Joseph could have become so bitter at the injustice he had just suffered at the hands of his brothers.
• How did Joseph handle the valley of suffering?
• Even in slavery, Joseph did not compromise.
• He worked so diligently and with such character that his master put him in charge of everything.
• We can often be blind to God’s leading and to his kindness in the midst of suffering.
• Even when Joseph was sold into slavery, God was with him.
• Although Joseph was a slave in Egypt, the Lord did not forsake him; instead, He prospered him during his time in Potiphar’s house, which eventually led to his imprisonment under false accusations.
• His first advantage was that he was not a field laborer like many slaves.
• Joseph became a house servant for Potiphar.
• His master observes that Joseph carried on his duties with unusual efficiency and dispatch.
• This was due to the blessing of the Lord” (G. Ch. Aalders, Genesis [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1991], 2:201).
• All was going well until Joseph caught the eye of Potiphar’s wife.
• The situation tested Joseph's integrity.
• She tries to seduce Joseph.
• In verse 9 Joseph tells her, There is no one greater in this household than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
• Joseph knew his actions were about his relationship with God, not just a man and a woman.
• His integrity wasn't just about refusing temptation; it was about his consistent character.
• He worked as if his master's business were his own, not because he was being watched, but because he was a man of principle.
• This is what made his refusal of Potiphar's wife so powerful.
• It wasn't a sudden burst of goodness but the result of a life lived with integrity before God.
• He was not just saying no to sin; he was saying yes to his identity as a child of God, even when it seemed no one was there to see.
• As Joseph refuses her advances, in verses 8-10 he gives her three reasons for not accepting her offer.
WHEN TEMPTATION TESTS SLIDE
• Loyalty to people: “My master… has not kept back anything from me but you.”
• Loyalty to God: “How then can I do this great wickedness and sin against God?”
• Loyalty to boundaries: “He refused… and would not listen… or be with her.” (v. 10)
• In verses 11-20, Potiphar’s wife makes a final attempt at Joseph; he refuses and runs out of the house.
• She grabs his cloak and then acts like Joseph tried to make sport of her.
• What is integrity?
• Integrity = integration: the same person at home, at work, and under pressure.
• Not sinlessness or instant vindication; it’s faithful consistency when obedience costs.
• Joseph loses his cloak (again) but keeps his character. (37:23; 39:12).
• Garments lie; character doesn’t.
• Given Joseph’s situation of being sold as a slave by his brothers, he could have been consumed by anger toward God and vengeance toward his brothers.
• Joseph maintained his integrity in the valley of suffering.
• All is well, right?
Genesis 39:20–23 NET 2nd ed.
Joseph’s master took him and threw him into the prison, the place where the king’s prisoners were confined. So he was there in the prison.
21 But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him kindness. He granted him favor in the sight of the prison warden.
22 The warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care. He was in charge of whatever they were doing.
23 The warden did not concern himself with anything that was in Joseph’s care because the LORD was with him and whatever he was doing the LORD was making successful.
MAIN POINT 2 SLIDE
II. Thriving through suffering with faith.
• “Integrity anchors the heart; now we need faith to wait while God works.”
• “Joseph’s ‘no’ to sin becomes a ‘yes’ to God’s timing—let’s watch faith work in the waiting.”
• This poor guy cannot catch a break.
• It goes from bad to worse for him.
• He went from slavery, which could have been much worse for Joseph, to prison!
• Joseph pays what seems to be a high price for his integrity.
• Doing right may make life more difficult, at least for a while.
• Joseph is in charge of the prison because God is with him.
• In Chapter 40, while in prison, Joseph has the opportunity to interpret the dreams of the former cupbearer for the king, as well as the former baker for the king.
Genesis 40:7–8 NET 2nd ed.
7 So he asked Pharaoh’s officials, who were with him in custody in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?”
8 They told him, “We both had dreams, but there is no one to interpret them.” Joseph responded, “Don’t interpretations belong to God? Tell them to me.”
• Joseph tells the men that only God can interpret dreams and then proceeds to ask them to tell him their dreams.
• It is fascinating to note that Joseph interpreted dreams for others while his own dreams were deferred.
• He didn’t let delay become disillusionment. He trusted God’s timing (Genesis 41:16).
• Because of time, I am not going to go into detail; Joseph’s interpretations of the dreams came to pass, and he asked the cupbearer to not forget him when he was restored to his position.
• The cupbearer forgets about Joseph for two years until he finds that Pharaoh is having troubling dreams and tells Pharaoh about Joseph.
• Joseph shows us that we must remain faithful in the “in-between”—when the promise hasn’t yet become reality.
• Are we serving faithfully even when our own prayers seem unanswered?
• When Joseph is brought before Pharaoh, look at the exchange.
Genesis 41:15–16 NET 2nd ed.
15 Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. But I have heard about you, that you can interpret dreams.”
16 Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “It is not within my power, but God will speak concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”
• Once again Joseph gives glory to God, saying that God would answer Pharaoh’s question.
FAITH THAT WORKS SLIDE
• Joseph’s example illustrates three key characteristics of valley-faith:
• Waiting faith trusts God’s timing (Ps 105:19).
• Working Faith: Stay faithful to little things in obscure places.
• Witnessing faith: gives God credit under pressure (41:16).
• Joseph could have been furious with God for everything that happened to him, but he remained loyal even when it seemed God had abandoned him.
• Yes, Joseph was successful in Potiphar’s house until the wife got him tossed into prison.
• Once in prison he was successful; he interpreted the dream of the cupbearer, yet he was stuck in prison for another two years.
• Joseph is placed second in charge of all of Egypt!
• Now, there is a little issue with the brothers.
• I did not cover this, but one of the things that made the brothers hate him is the fact that he revealed two dreams that God gave him in which the brothers would one day bow down to Joseph.
• This was so over the top that Jacob, his father rebuked him.
• Well, they say dreams come true.
• During the famine, the brothers came to Egypt.
• I am omitting many details due to time constraints, but the brothers did not recognize Joseph; he tested them and ultimately revealed his identity to them.
• By the way, they did bow down to him as God revealed to Joseph.
Genesis 45:1–3 NET 2nd ed.
1 Joseph was no longer able to control himself before all his attendants, so he cried out, “Make everyone go out from my presence!” No one remained with Joseph when he made himself known to his brothers.
2 He wept loudly; the Egyptians heard it and Pharaoh’s household heard about it.
3 Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” His brothers could not answer him because they were dumbfounded before him.
MAIN POINT 3 SLIDE
III. Thriving through suffering with the right attitude.
• I will keep this point short.
• Joseph could have been very bitter about the actions of his brothers and his feelings toward God!
• However, Joseph maintained the right attitude throughout it all.
• When he revealed himself to his brothers, they were not only dumbfounded but also terrified.
• What would Joseph do to them?
• How would he pay them back?
Genesis 45:4–8 NET 2nd ed.
4 Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” so they came near. Then he said, “I am Joseph your brother, whom you sold into Egypt.
5 Now, do not be upset and do not be angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me ahead of you to preserve life!
6 For these past two years there has been famine in the land and for five more years there will be neither plowing nor harvesting.
7 God sent me ahead of you to preserve you on the earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.
8 So now, it is not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me an adviser to Pharaoh, lord over all his household, and ruler over all the land of Egypt.
• Joseph was able to stay strong with the right attitude because he knew God had a plan, and now he knew the plan!
• As a final thought, when Jacob, their father, died, the brothers still thought Joseph would get his revenge on them.
• They thought the only thing keeping the vengeance of Joseph from them was the fact that Dad was still alive.
Genesis 50:18–20 NET 2nd ed.
18 Then his brothers also came and threw themselves down before him; they said, “Here we are; we are your slaves.”
19 But Joseph answered them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?
20 As for you, you meant to harm me, but God intended it for a good purpose, so he could preserve the lives of many people, as you can see this day.
• Verse 20 is powerful!
CONCLUSION
• Joseph’s story ends not with revenge but with a reframe: “You meant it for evil, but God meant it for good.”
• The same God is with you in your valley.
• Integrity may cost you, faith may keep you waiting, and the right attitude may stretch you—but the cross and empty tomb prove He wastes nothing.
• So hand Him your cloak and keep your character; wait and work while He weaves; forgive and bless where you were wounded.
• Trust the God who turns evil into good—and let’s change lives by connecting people with Christ.
