Excerpt
Joseph lost his coat twice, but he never lost his faith.
Intro
Joseph’s story is one of repeated loss followed by unexpected elevation. Twice in his life he lost a garment and the position he held, yet each time the loss became the doorway to something greater. His life reminds us that obedience does not always prevent hardship, but it does guide us through it.
Notes from the Scriptures
Joseph’s first loss came while he was still young, living in the land of Canaan. His father loved him deeply and gave him a coat of many colors. That gift, however, intensified the jealousy of his brothers. When Joseph came to check on them, they turned against him.
“They stript Joseph out of his coat, … cast him into a pit,” and later sold him into slavery (Genesis 37:23-28).
Though everything familiar was taken from him, Joseph remained faithful. In Egypt, his diligence and integrity earned the trust of his master.
Later, another trial came. Potiphar’s wife repeatedly tried to persuade Joseph to betray his trust and commit adultery. Joseph refused each time, remaining loyal both to Potiphar and to God.
When she attempted to seize him physically, Joseph fled.
“He left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” (Genesis 39:12)
The garment she held became false evidence against him, and Joseph was thrown into prison.
Yet even there, the pattern continued:
“Because the Lord was with him, and that which he did, the Lord made it to prosper.” (Genesis 39:23)
Joseph lost his position twice, yet his faith remained steady.
Perspective
Joseph’s story is not just about loss but about endurance. The second setback could easily have shaken his faith. Instead, Joseph continued to trust the Lord.
Nephi experienced something similar. As a young man he left Jerusalem with his family, abandoning comfort and security to follow the Lord’s command (1 Nephi 2:2-4). Years later, after reaching the promised land, conflict within the family forced him to leave again.
Nephi obeyed once more and established a new community, where the people eventually lived “after the manner of happiness” (2 Nephi 5:27).
Both stories teach a profound truth: sometimes obedience leads us through repeated trials before it leads us to peace.
Practice (today, not someday)
Today I will remember that setbacks do not cancel God’s promises. When circumstances change, when plans collapse, or when losses come unexpectedly, faith can remain steady. Obedience today prepares the way for tomorrow’s new beginning.
Final Reflection
Joseph’s garments were taken, his freedom was taken, and his circumstances were taken. Yet his faith was never taken. God was quietly shaping his future through every trial.
Pocket I’m Keeping
When obedience leads to loss, trust God anyway.
What I Hear Now
Like the Jaredite barges, life can feel submerged by waves.
“they were many times buried in the depths of the sea … but the wind did never cease to blow them towards the promised land.” (Ether 6:7)
Link to the talk
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IT Reflection (My own story)
Joseph’s life reminds me of moments in my own IT career. Systems crash, projects fail, companies restructure, and sometimes the work we built disappears overnight. Yet those disruptions often become preparation for something new.
Just as Joseph rose again through faithfulness and diligence, many of the hardest moments in technology work have eventually opened doors to deeper learning, new responsibilities, and greater trust.
Sometimes losing the “coat” simply means the Lord is preparing us for a different assignment.
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