How many times have you heard the story of Joseph?

How he rose from being a slave to a prime minister and how his brothers who hated him eventually bowed before him.

From childhood, I could tell happily narrate the story, thanks to Sunday school. But here's what bothers me-no one talks about the process or what price he paid. Was Joseph super favoured or he did do something different?

Let's go find out.

Here are 6 lessons from the life of Joseph on how to attain success.

1.Reality check

Genesis 37:2 This [is] the history of Jacob. Joseph, [being] seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brothers. And the lad [was] with the sons of Bilhah and the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives; and *Joseph brought a bad report of them to his father*.

Why did Jacob love Joseph? At the first mention of Joseph's story, we see he told the truth when no one else would. At the field, he brought reports to his father and naturally earned his love.

And the same goes for you.

The first breakthrough to your success is telling the truth. What is your truth? Are you self-aware of what needs to be improved in your life or are you lying to yourself?

Know this, favor will naturally follow you when you're realistic and tell yourself the truth.

2. Accept who you are:

Genesis 37:5-7 Now Joseph had a dream, and he told [it] to his brothers, and they hated him even more. So he said to them, "Please hear this dream which I have dreamed: There we were, binding sheaves in the field. Then behold, my sheaf arose and also stood upright, and indeed your sheaves stood all around and bowed down to my sheaf."

Joseph had a dream and he wasn't ashamed to tell it.

What has God laid in your heart to do?

Until you truly embrace your uniqueness, your background, and your past, you won't make significant progress.

Don't be ashamed of who you are. You were made specifically for a purpose. Is it going to be a smooth ride? No. So what do you do when criticism and attacks come your way?


3. learn to accept attacks and criticism gladly:

Genesis 37:10 So he told [it] to his father and his brothers; and his father rebuked him and said to him, "What [is] this dream that you have dreamed? Shall your mother and I and your brothers indeed come to bow down to the earth before you?"

Joseph was rebuked by his father. He was right. He had legit dreams and reasons to revolt, but he listened to his father.

How do I know this?
There was no other account of him boasting about his dreams.

Keep this in mind, he who must be great must learn how to accept criticism. Without a heart to listen and act on corrections, you can't make much progress.


4. Be obedient to authority

Genesis 37:13 And Israel said to Joseph, "Are not your brothers feeding [the flock] in Shechem? Come, I will send you to them." So he said to him, "Here I am."

You will not be recommended for greater heights if you're not subject to authority.

The key to your rising is to service. Can your boss, and parents count on your executive ability? Do you give excuses when you should be on the field working?

5. Go the extra mile

Genesis 37:17 And the man said, "They have departed from here, for I heard them say, 'Let us go to Dothan.'" So Joseph went after his brothers and found them in Dothan.

If you read the verse well, you'll see Jacob sent Joseph to check for his brothers at Shechem. He got there and found out they had moved. But he wasn't deterred. Joseph went the extra mile to go find them at Dothan.

Lesson learned? Being obedient isn't enough. You must be willing to do extra even without monetary reward. This is how you gain favor in the sight of God and man.

6. Count on God

Genesis 39:1-2 Now Joseph had been taken down to Egypt. And Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him from the Ishmaelites who had taken him down there. The LORD was with Joseph, and he was a successful man, and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian.

In his troubles, and challenges Joseph realized that God was with him.

How do you think he was able to survive losing his mother and the lonely nights?
Betrayal by his blood brothers?
Conspiracy by Potiphar's wife?
Imprisonment when he did no wrong?

There would be hard times but those who trust in Jesus will be strong and do exploits.


And so, I am urging you this morning to embrace Jesus. He craves to have a relationship with you. A father-to-son fellowship where you'll enjoy joy, peace, and purpose and where all hope is lost.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

Ready to let him in?

Repeat aloud after me. Dear lord Jesus, I believe in you. I believe that you died and rose on the cross for me. Today I accept you as my Lord and savior. Thank you for staying and dwelling in my heart.


Thank you, Lord Jesus.

Happy Sunday

True success is in Christ Jesus

He is dependable always.

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