Excerpt
“It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Genesis 41:16).
Intro
Some of the most powerful moments in scripture are not when someone demonstrates great ability, but when they refuse to take credit for it. Joseph had a remarkable gift. Yet when the opportunity came to impress Pharaoh, he made something clear: the power did not belong to him.
Notes from Scripture
Joseph had already experienced how powerful dreams could be. His own dreams had stirred anger among his brothers and eventually led to betrayal, slavery, and prison. Yet the same spiritual gift that placed him in difficult circumstances later became the instrument that lifted him out of prison and into a position of great influence in Egypt.
When two fellow prisoners struggled to understand their dreams, Joseph asked a simple question: “Do not interpretations belong to God?” (Genesis 40:8).
Later, when Pharaoh called for him to interpret troubling dreams, Joseph again refused to claim the gift as his own:
“It is not in me: God shall give Pharaoh an answer of peace” (Genesis 41:16).
A similar humility appears in the account of Ammon. After witnessing a miracle, King Lamoni asked him directly, “Art thou sent from God?” (Alma 18:33). Ammon replied:
“I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;”
Alma 18:34–35
These servants of God understood something important. Spiritual power does not originate with the person through whom it flows.
Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf shared a similar lesson from his early experience as a General Authority. During a drive to a stake conference, President James E. Faust offered counsel that stayed with him:
“They will treat you very kindly. They will say nice things about you.”
He then added with a smile,
“Dieter, be thankful for this. But don’t you ever inhale it.”
“Pride and the Priesthood,” October 2010 general conference
Perspective
Pride often creeps in quietly. A small success can tempt us to believe the accomplishment belongs entirely to us. But the scriptures repeatedly remind us that ability, insight, and opportunity come from a higher source.
In my own work in IT, some of the most difficult problems never resolve through one person alone. A breakthrough often comes after collaboration with vendors, coworkers, and teammates who bring their own insights to the table. Over the years I have learned that no man is an island. When something finally works after hours of troubleshooting, I try to remember that inspiration, patience, and teamwork all play a role.
Many times the solution arrives in a way that feels bigger than personal ability. In those moments I quietly remember Joseph’s words: “It is not in me.” The credit belongs to God, and also to the people He places around us.
Practice (today, not someday)
Today I will recognize the contributions of others and acknowledge the source of my own abilities. When something succeeds, I will thank the teammates who helped and remember that inspiration often comes from beyond myself.
Final Reflection
Great servants of God accomplish remarkable things, yet they remain careful not to claim ownership of the power behind them. Their humility becomes part of their strength.
Pocket I’m Keeping
“It is not in me.”
What I Hear Now
“They will treat you very kindly… but don’t you ever inhale it.” — President James E. Faust
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