| “And Joseph came in unto them [the chief butler and the chief baker] in the morning, and looked upon them, and, behold they were sad” (Genesis 40:6). |
| Joseph had been wrongly accused and put in prison, yet the keeper of the prison realized his faithfulness and his ability, and put him in charge of all the other prisoners. In this position Joseph could easily not have bothered to notice whether the other prisoners were content, or whether they were sad. Yet he was careful to observe that the chief butler and the chief baker were both sad, and he asked them what was wrong. This led to their telling Joseph their dreams, and he was able to interpret the dreams for them. |
| It is possible for us to be so concerned about ourselves that we do not notice other people, and how they may be feeling. Some people are naturally better at this than others. I have a good friend who says that all he has to do is look at someone, even a stranger, and he instantly knows whether they are hurting inside or not. But we can all have a concern for others and how they are doing. |
| Some years ago, I read a book about various character traits that “hold back” otherwise capable people. One chapter was entitled, “Being emotionally tone deaf.” We have all known people who cannot sing on key; they are “tone deaf,” and cannot, as we say, carry a tune. But occasionally people are not sensitive to the feelings of others, and they are described as being “emotionally tone deaf.” They tend to say and do things that offend others and hurt their feelings, yet often do not realize they are doing it. |
| It is important not to be self-centered, but to look around, and notice if others are not happy. |
