So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, “Why do you look so sad today?” — Genesis 40:7
We learn that Joseph was sold by his brothers and then unfairly imprisoned in Egypt. He must have felt incredibly broken and upset about his life. Yet, that didn’t prevent him from noticing the pain of others and caring about them. While in prison, Joseph noticed that two of his fellow inmates looked upset. He asked them, “Why do you look so sad today?” and listened as they unburdened their hearts. Joseph genuinely cared about others.
Joseph was able to interpret the troublesome dreams that the baker and cupbearer shared with him. Ultimately, this interaction is what brought Joseph to interpret Pharaoh’s dreams and catapulted him into the second most powerful position in Egypt. As a result, when Joseph’s family faced life-threatening famine, they were able to take refuge in Egypt where Joseph had prepared ample food and mercifully welcomed them in.
Sometimes, we go through life so focused on our own problems that we don’t notice when someone else is hurting. Or we notice, but we don’t take the time to ask how they are doing and listen to what’s on their heart. But as Joseph’s story teaches us, no matter how challenging our own situation might be, we need to notice the pain of others and take time to show others genuine care.
Moreover, we can never underestimate the power of asking about another person’s well-being. It could save a life, or as it did in Joseph’s case, positively influence more lives than we could ever imagine.
