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"But now do not be sad, and let it not trouble you that you sold me here, for it was to preserve life that G-d sent me before you ... You did not send me here, but G-d, and He made me a father to Pharaoh, a lord over all his household, and a ruler over the entire land of Egypt ... (Joseph to his brothers, Genesis 45:5, 8).

Needless to say, most people in a similar situation would have reacted very differently. In hindsight, G-d's hand in the events that led to Joseph being elevated to royalty is unmistakable. It is easy for us, looking at the story from afar, to view the entire story objectively. But for Joseph, it was different. He had suffered the agony of being sold into slavery and being alone in an alien country for over two decades because of his brothers' actions. His ability to see beyond his personal pain, and appreciate the Divine strategy, which brought him to Pharaoh's palace, is a testament to Joseph's self-control and mature wisdom.

You can spend thousands on therapies, but a simple belief in G-d and Divine Providence may be all you really need. Throughout the course of life, every person experiences the pain of being treated unjustly by others. And although sentiments of anger and vengeance are counter-productive and often destructive, they are natural reactions to such occurrences. But unlike Joseph, we often don't get to see the positive results of the mistreatment. While many people spend much time, energy, and money on various therapies, in many instances this belief in G-d and Divine Providence is the antidote to this problem.

Basic premise is that G-d is good ... period. And He controls everything that happens to us throughout our lives. Many people believe that only natural catastrophes, such as non-contagious illnesses or freak accidents, floods, tornados, earthquakes, are controlled by G-d (see the section in your homeowner's insurance policy which defines "Acts of G-d"); whereas wicked acts initiated by other people, people with free choice, are not heavenly ordained, and are simply bad.

Interesting aside but do you hear anyone saying that winning the lottery, a quick recovery from a serious illness, or any of the many good things that happen to us (crossing the street and surviving without an accident) ... do people consider those events an "Act of G-d"? Don't you think they should?

The story of Joseph demonstrates the fallacy of this idea. Of course what the brothers did was wrong, but what happened to Joseph was all part of the Divine master plan. At those times when we are maltreated and cannot see the benefit or purpose of the suffering, Chassidic teachings recommend a two-part therapeutic medication:

1. You have to forget about instant gratification (a plague of our current generation). It can be many years before the reason for your suffering becomes apparent. Joseph was incarcerated for twelve years before Pharaoh summoned him to decipher his dream. He had twelve long years in prison to dwell on the injustice perpetrated by his brothers! The story of Purim is another example of this idea; Esther was snatched away from her Jewish home and compelled to marry a vicious tyrannical king. Only five years later did G-d's plan become apparent; she saved the Jews and the real culprits were hung.

2. Strength of character can be achieved through hardship and suffering; but it requires a patient attitude. For example, in order for the Jewish people to have received the Torah, they first had to endure many decades of excruciating slavery in Egypt. Only through difficulty can a person acquire sensitivity and empathy for others; and the person who is hurt by another, and chooses to forgive rather than avenge, becomes a kinder and greater person. Is this easy? I still haven't achieved this level of perfection. And that's with knowing that even the suffering itself, and the ability to rise above this suffering, is in itself a Divine present.

We are supposed to understand that although we cannot understand many things that happen to us, we should know that nothing occurs haphazardly. Whatever the reason for any distress may be, it is all carefully calculated by G-d, and nothing is in vain ... I try hard to believe in that arrangement; I try.