Joseph had a ton of troubles, but according to the Bible his faith in God kept him from sinking into a quicksand of hopelessness.

Let's look at his life. (Genesis 37-47) Joseph was the favored son of Jacob. The brothers were jealous of this and sold him to a caravan heading for Egypt. He became the slave of one of the pharaoh's officials.

It is interesting to note that the Lord was with him and everything he did was a success. So even though he was a slave he knew that God was with him. He could have mourned his state and become disconsolate, but instead he worked at his job doing the best he could.

Then something happened that sent him to prison. The official's wife lied and said he had come to sleep with her. He was thrown into prison.

But while he was in prison the Lord was with him and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison guard.

Again, Joseph could have been sad and whined, but instead he trusted in his God.

He remained in prison for two years until the Pharaoh had a dream that troubled him, and Joseph, who could interpret dreams, was asked to come before the pharaoh to interpret his dream.

Joseph interpreted the dream that predicted a famine and was put in charge of the whole land of Egypt.

So you see Joseph's faith and trust in the Lord paid off.

When his brothers came before him to get food, he could say to them in all earnestness, "And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you" (Genesis 45:5 NIV).

The lesson in Joseph's story involves trusting the Lord when we cannot understand why things are happening the way they are. Joseph had no idea that all of his problems would end up saving a lot of peoples' lives. His faith in the Lord helped him be the perfect servant of the Lord. So no matter what you are facing in your life, trust the Lord, wait and see what He can do through you. Trust Him completely and you will be surprised at the outcome.

I come to You with a repentant heart. Please forgive me for the things I have done. Please hear when I call out to You. Lord, You are my righteous God. You can make my life right and You alone can free me from my grief. I know that You can relieve my distress.

Father, have mercy on me. Please hear my prayer. I am weak from battling the sins that come at me and the thoughts of my own mind. My body aches to be freed from the troubles that this world brings.

Lord, I will pray often and I know that You will hear my voice, even when I speak to You in my silent thoughts. To You, I am crying out and my prayers are now before You. Father, I give to You my problems, I do not want them.

Father, please restore myself to You. Save me from this world and from myself. I know that You have compassion for Your children, so please save me. Those who do not seek Your free gift of salvation do not know You, but I do and I thank You. Father, I thank You for Your patience.

Father, I am weary from worry and my sadness never seems to cease. I will put my trust in You, for I know that You will stop the overwhelming grief that I feel and not allow it to consume my life.

Leave me alone, evils of this world, for the Lord has heard my cry. Father, show me Your ways and teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me. You are the God of my salvation and on You I will wait. Teach me Your way, O Lord, and make my path smooth. Protect me from the evils of this life and guide me through all my days.

Father, thank You for hearing my plea. I know You will receive my prayer. Father, consider and have compassion on all who read these words, and all who hurt, in this troubled generation we live. Keep them in the center of Your love, as You have done for me.

In Jesus' Name,