You’ve got keep your head up

In the beginning of this week’s parsha Yosef finally reveals himself to his brothers. After disclosing to his brother’s his true identity he explains to them that they should not feel bad that they sold him into slavery because “ it was to preserve life that GOD sent me before you,” (Bereisheit 45:3). In other words, Yosef explains to his brothers that it was divine providence that he was sold into slavery only so he could become viceroy and saved both the Egyptians and his brothers and father in Caanan from famine. Here Yosef could have become angry with his brothers for selling him into slavery. However, as seen from his response, he decides to view what happened as for the absolute best.

According to the Netivot Shalom, not only did Yosef understand that his brothers selling him into slavery was for his and their benefit after becoming viceroy and saving them from famine, but even beforehand when he was first sold into slavery many years earlier.

Often in life we are faced with situations that seem to have no hope for good and only after the fact are we able to see how much the tragedy we had encountered was in the long run for our benefit. However, like Yosef we should also strive to see bad situations, even when they occur and not just after the fact as possibly having positive benefits as well.
To add to what Andy Grammer says in his song “Keep Your Head up,” You’ve got to keep your head up always seeing the worst situations as optimistic even before you may realize how it benefited you after that.
May Moschiach come soon!
Good Shabbos, Shabbat Shalom, Gut Shabbes.