Why Are You So Sad?

When was the last time you asked someone why they appear so sad? Fiona explains.

“When Joseph came to them the next morning, he saw that they were dejected. So he asked Pharaoh’s officials who were in custody with him in his master’s house, ‘Why are your faces so sad today?’

‘We both had dreams,’ they answered, ‘but there is no one to interpret them.’ Then Joseph said to them, ‘Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams'” (Genesis 40:6-8).

“‘I cannot do it,’ Joseph replied to Pharaoh, ‘but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires'” (Genesis 41:16).

The story of Joseph has many twists and turns. We get to see God working through Joseph’s life in many, varied ways, even when it doesn’t always seem He is.

When Joseph was imprisoned with two of Pharaoh’s servants, these verses tell how Joseph noticed and went on to ask why they were looking so sad.

It got me thinking about times when we might see others with sad faces–and whether or not, we would ask “why are your faces so sad today?” Or do we choose not to get involved in their story–and not ask what’s going on? I know I don’t always ask.

Many years ago I realized that there are not many people who, if you bother to ask, are not struggling with something difficult in their lives. It could be any number of different things, but even those who may not look sad, are still dealing with some challenge.

Joseph asked and discovered that they were needing someone to interpret their dreams. Just as later, when Joseph was before Pharaoh who was also looking for answers regarding his dreams–Joseph responded by saying something like “I can’t, but God can.”

Joseph faced lots of adversity in his life and knowing that he couldn’t always do much to solve his problems himself, he trusted in the knowledge that when he couldn’t–God could.

There is such comfort in that for those of us who face the challenges of chronic illness. It can feel like a daily adversity–some days, more than others–but I like Joseph’s example of choosing to rely on “I can’t, but God can”.

We may not be able to give that response to everyone, but I pray we can acknowledge it ourselves.

Prayer: Father, thank You that when we are unable to do things on our own, You are there to help us. Help us to rely on You and Your strength, when we are weak. Amen.

About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful that God walks each step of her life with her, and that He is teaching her new things as she learns to live with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to share those things with others. You can contact her in the Sunroom, or read more of her writing on her blog there.

In times of adversity, are you choosing to rely on “I can’t, but God can”?

In this video Hawk Nelson sings “Arms Around Me” which describes how God is always there for us. We may walk by those who need us sometimes because of our fatigue. Other times we may be the one who is hurting end no one seems to reach out to us. Either way, we can always depend on God’s unconditional love. -Lisa