"Real" Positive

How are you when things are going bad?

"Huh?" "I'm bad, that's how I am", you may respond, but what I mean is, do you hang it out on your sleeve for everybody to see it? I used to be a Registrar at a college...for 3 months. That's all it took before I was "moved on". I'm a pretty positive and likable guy but this job brought out the worst in me. I was so stressed and uptight; I would slam doors and give dirty looks to people; It wasn't pretty and all the while I'd be trying to help the students. Heck, the students even noticed that I had changed.

Not Joseph though. In Genesis 40 we read of a "positive" Joseph. In the midst of his "hell" he was still compassionate and concerned about others and most of all, didn't throw himself a pity party. He was positive; he knew God had a plan even though he himself didn't know what it was. In fact, the story tells us that he told the baker and the cup-bearer, "hey, don't forget who hooked you up when you're on the outside". Of course, they forgot but he still remained faithful to God.

So, how are you when things are not going so hot? Do you, like I did, slam doors and get all bent out of shape or do you genuinely seek to put others first and serve them?