Christian Stress Management: Change Your Garments: Joseph

Changing garments in the Bible is an outward manifestation of an inward transformation.

We learn this from the many instances in the Bible when people changed their garments as their situations change.

A perfect example is from Joseph who changed his garments many times as he went through the many stages and seasons of his life.

Joseph the Beloved Son's Garment

Jacob loved Joseph more than all his other children because he was the child of his old age and he made him a coat of many colors. (Genesis 37:3)

This coat of many colors represented the fact that he was loved dearly by his father. However it also made his brothers hate him with a passion. Therefore when they got the chance, they Stripped Joseph of the tunic of many colors (Genesis 37:23) and cast him into a pit with the intention of killing him.

This stripping of the coat of many colors represented the end of his status as the favored son who was sent by his father to check up on his brothers.

Joseph the Beloved Slave's Garment

Joseph's brothers sold him to Midianites who took him to Egypt and sold him to be a slave in Potiphar's house. God blessed Joseph and his work so much that Potiphar left all his possessions to be managed by Joseph.

However, Potiphar's wife wanted to commit adultery with Joseph and when he declined, she grabbed him by his garment, but he left the garment in her hand. (Genesis 39:12)

This leaving of his garment in her hand as he ran outside represented the end of his season as a slave since she falsely accused him of attempted rape and he was imprisoned.

Joseph the Beloved Prisoner's Garment

Once again God blessed Joseph and his work so much that the keeper of the prison left all the prisoners and everything they did to be managed by Joseph.

One day, Pharaoh, the king of Egypt had a dream that none of his wise men or magicians could interpret. His butler who had had his dream interpreted by Joseph while he was in prison, informed Pharaoh of Joseph. Pharaoh sent for him and he shaved and changed his clothing before he came to Pharaoh. (Genesis 41:14)

This changing of his clothing represented the end of his season as a prisoner.

Joseph the Beloved Prime Minister's Garment

When Pharaoh recognized Joseph's wisdom after he interpreted his dream, Pharaoh appointed him to be the Prime Minister of Egypt and put his signet ring in Joseph's had, Clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. (Genesis 41:42)

This changing of his clothing represented the beginning of his season as a Prime Minister.

Therefore if you would like to change from one situation or season in your life to another, begin by changing your outward and inward appearance to match the situation or season you want to enter.

This changing can be viewed to be like the molting that animals go through as they shed their old skin or feathers in preparation for the new season they are entering.

For example if you have been working from home in your pajamas as a freelance graphic designer and you now want to get an office job as the Creative Director of an advertising agency, begin changing your outer and inner garments.

To change your external appearance, you can begin waking up at the time you would if you had to commute to that job. Then shower and wear the type of clothes you would wear if you were working as a Creative Director for that company even if you are still designing from your home.

To change your internal appearance, meditate and confess Scriptures that can make your dream of becoming a Creative Director a reality. For example you can meditate on I have committed my work to the Lord and my thoughts of being a Creative Director are being established. (Deuteronomy 28:12)

You can also confess The soul of a diligent Creative Director like me shall be made rich. (Proverbs 13:4)