Unseen Anguish !

Genesis 42 : 21 ESV

Then they said to one another, “In truth we are guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the distress of his soul, when he begged us and we did not listen. That is why this distress has come upon us.”

This is a very familiar story about Joseph and his brothers. So familiar in fact, that we sometimes overlook the small nuances which is the case in this verse.

Nowhere in Joseph's story is it written about what he went through. What he felt. But in this verse, it talks about the anguish he felt as he was left in that pit to die. He was distressed and anguished to his very soul. Such a strong emotion that his soul itself was distressed.

Or so he thought. If only he knew Gods plan, he would have happily gone into the pit on his own, singing merrily.

Isn't it much like a lot of situations we face in life? We don't know the outcome, so we are distressed and anguished. In that anguished moment we envision the worst outcomes, like probably Joseph did. Or we may have been the cause of such anguish, like Joseph's brothers, and walked away without a thought. Or there maybe someone who is anguished by life itself and we walk away, without a second thought.

Today, let us pause to think of all the times we may have been in either situation, and, take corrective action. If we have been anguished, remember the time and remember the outcome, forgive the person and thank God who brought us through. Forgiveness is sweet.

And if we have been the perpetrators, ask for forgiveness from the Almighty and take steps of repentance. In case we are neither, and someone we know is in distress, let us not ignore them.

Above all let's focus on the one who helps us fly above the storm, like the eagle, using the force of the storm itself.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.