For me, it’s painful to read the story of Jacob hearing that his son Joseph was possibly killed by an animal. I can sense that same grief since I watched my father mourn the loss of my youngest brother to suicide. It’s a pain that no parent should go through.

Of course, we know that Joseph was indeed safe and that God had a plan to use his captivity and suffering from being sold as a slave into Egypt. This was the silver lining.

Resulting from my brother’s death, my sister went on to graduate school to become a counselor to help prevent others from taking their own lives. I, too, have gained a more understanding and empathetic attitude towards those who suffer in life and consider ending it.

We don’t want to see any other parent go through that grief and pain.

READ/HEAR: Gen. 35-37