The Strength of Character by Jordan Flowers

Today’s societal concept of strength often falls short to what the true definition of strength is. More commonly strength is identified as who is screaming, “their truth,” the loudest or is getting the most attention based upon their own understandings of reality. Their truth is actually a carefully orchestrated lie masqueraded as reality to cause herd mentality. Those who allow themselves to be ruled by herd mentality soon believe that they have strength in numbers and therefore are untouchable. The sad truth is power does not necessarily mean strength. Just because numbers have the power to overthrow a group of lesser number does not mean that there is strength behind it.

            Strength, real strength, requires fortitude and an unshakeable morality. It requires an honest look within ones-self in order to attain the discipline to stand tall when the world comes against you. There are a few members of history that have shown this kind of strength, Joseph from Genesis, chapters 37-50, we see a young man who is sold into slavery due to the jealousy of his brothers. He was the miracle child, the one born to his father Jacob from his wife Rebekah, the wife he loved. All his other sons before Joseph were from his other wife Leah, the one he was tricked into marrying. Because of this Joseph was treated better than his brothers and was able to have the best of the family. Including gifts from his father and being able to avoid working in the fields with the sheep.

His brothers had the numbers, and they were able to overpower him, throwing him into a pit then later selling him. They lied to their father Jacob, saying that Joseph was dead. Not only had Joseph been rejected by his brothers, the ones he just desperately desired to be an equal with, but they had made sure that his father would never come to rescue him. Joseph went from being the chosen one, the miracle, the blessing that was blessed with love and joy, to the discarded brother, the lost son, the slave of a land he did not know to a people he didn’t understand.

When he was taken to Egypt, he kept his faith in the Lord despite being surrounded by paganistic theology that he could not escape. He was a hard-working slave that showed honor to those above him., and he was well educated. Because of this the Lord blessed Joseph with the favor of a man called Potiphar, who made him the manager of all that he had. The house of Potiphar was blessed with wealth by the Lord because of the faithfulness of Joseph and he was once again the miracle. However, there was the wandering eye of Potiphar’s wife that had also fallen upon him. One day, she attempted to have Joseph for herself, but he ran from her tearing his garment in the process.

Potiphar’s wife then went to her husband and accused Joseph of sexually assaulting her and he was thrown into prison. Once again, Joseph went from having favor with those above him to being the one cast aside and accused of wickedness. Even in this, Joseph held tight to his faith and who he was, he didn’t allow the circumstance to change him as a man. In prison he found favor with the prison guard and was placed as manager over all the prisoners. He interpreted the dreams of two men. One of them being the chief cupbearer, which he interpreted that Pharoah would restore the man to his previous place of employment as the cupbearer. Joseph asked only one thing, that the cupbearer would remember him and bring him up to Pharoah so that he could be released from the prison since he was innocent. The cupbearer forgot of his promise for two years until Pharoah had a dream that needed to be interpreted.

Joseph was brought before the Pharoah and was asked to interpret the dream. Joseph boldly proclaimed that it was not himself who would interpret the dream but that it was God who would interpret. After he had interpreted the dream, the Pharoah found favor with him and had him become part of his house, elevating eventually to become the second most powerful man in Egypt. Which led to him eventually being reunited with his family and saving his people from a terrible famine. Even in this, Joseph remained true to God and himself.

The numbers were stacked against Joseph, he was accused of many things throughout his life that were not indicative of who he was as a man. By honoring God and staying true to who he was as a man, and to the line he was birthed into, he held firmly to the promises of God knowing that He would be his source of strength. Despite the fact that he was surrounded by a paganistic people that pursued selfish desires and passions of the flesh, Joseph remained steadfast with his faith in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

He did not shove his faith into the people around him because he knew that it would fall on deaf ears. Nor did he push his way of living because he understood that he could be in the society of Egypt while not conforming to their belief’s and their actions. His character spoke for itself, even in the face of adversity he was favored time and time again. The people of Egypt were powerful, even then Joseph’s people were saved from famine because of his strength of character.

Our job as men in this society is hold true to being the character of a man despite the odds stacked against us. Character is determined by what we place our identity, what code we hold ourselves to as men. Will we be the head of our home? Will we be bold and courageous? Will we know when to fight and when to remain still with patient expectation? When a man is tested his character is what will determine if he stands tall or falls under the pressure. Often this leaves us to fight for those that follow behind us.

It does not mean that we have to do it alone, it just means that we must be intentional with who we surround ourselves with, and where we put our faith. Joseph knew he was innocent, he knew that the punishment from his brothers was cruel, and he knew that he was alone in a foreign land. Even then, he knew he had to find healing in the pain. He knew he had to give it to someone, surrounded by people that were not like minded, he chose to give his suffering to God, and trusted that He would see him through.

This is not to say that every man is an island on his own, but God is always standing with those who follow Him, even when there is no one around to lean on. Keeping intentional relationship with the Father helps build a character of obedience to His ways over our own that builds persistence. His ways are infallible, in a world of false identities and lies parading as truth, His ways are the only thing we can hold onto that carry us through the storm’s life has to offer. Humble obedience is a testament of great character, giving us the strength to stand against the lies.