Wisdom is different from intelligence although both are from God. Different people are borned with different intelligence quotient (IQ). However, a person who is highly intelligent (high in IQ), may not necessarily make the right decision and have the right judgement in life circumstances. Being able to discern and have good judgement comes from our observation, analysis and learning through experiences. Besides gaining wisdom through experiences, there are also wisdom that come directly from God–sometimes, at specific moment, a thought, a solution, an understanding just come into our mind — that’s our LORD guiding us.

In this story of Joseph, it is very clear that he was very naive at seventeen years old. In Genesis 37:4, it was stated that Joseph’s brothers were jealous of him and would not speak peaceably to him. Despite this, Joseph was naive to tell them the dreams he had.

In the upcoming chapters, we are going to discover how all the betrayals and hardships transformed Joseph to be an extremely wise man who could manage the country of Egypt, and how he tested his brothers (Genesis 42).

So you see, God gave Joseph the wisdom to be able to interpret dreams. In addition, God also allowed tribution to take place in Joseph’s life so that he could gain in wisdom. Without this wisdom, Joseph could not be an effective Prime Minister.

We first read about sibling rivalry, jealousy, inferiority complex and murder in the story of Cain and Abel. Now in this story, we see the same kind of jealousy coupled with inferiority complex that gave rise to so strong a hatred that the brothers plotted to murder Joseph.

Sometimes people hate you not because you did something wrong or you are unlikeable. Sometimes people simply hate you because they feel inferior compared to you and they are jealous of you. The problem does not lie in you, the problem lies in them. My child, know this truth, in such a situation, there is little (or maybe nothing) that you can do to win over such people. We read similar situations in the story of David and King Saul. Pray for God’s protection and ask God for wisdom what you should do and should not do to protect yourself.

Do not allow yourself to be jealous of someone. If you find yourself feeling jealous of someone, that is because you failed to look to God to understand how much God loves you. You are not just 1 in 7 billions of human beings. You are uniqued and special that we can search through the 7 billion people and not find someone the same as you.

My child, know that you are carefully handcrafted by God and He loves you so much that He sent His only beloved Son, Jesus, to come and die in your place. Look at all the strengths and gifts and skills that God has bestowed on you. No one is like you. There is no need to be jealous of someone. Do not compare yourself to anyone.

Even if your parents, your teachers, your best friends said you are not good enough, disregard those words. Remember that you are made in the image of God. There are so much good that God had put in you. God says you are good and He cannot find anyone now, nor in the past, nor in the time to come, that can replace you. Look up and give thanks to God, knowing that He is saying to you that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Jesus loves you so much, so much, that He gave His life for you.

Yes, nothing, absolutely nothing can stop God’s plan for you — not even your bad decisions, your naiveness, your mistakes in any way. Nothing. God has everything in control.

Go to God this day, enjoy the time with Him, feel His love for you.