The Furnace of LeadershipSýnishorn

When the Prison Becomes the Place of Purpose

This wasn’t the plan. Joseph had already lost his home, his family, and his freedom. He had climbed his way back into a position of trust—only to have it all stolen again. Now, he’s not just a slave. He’s a prisoner.

But read this slowly: “The Lord was with him… in the prison.”

That’s the kind of line we rush past. But if you’ve ever found yourself in a place you didn’t choose—a delay, a demotion, a season that feels like a dead-end—you know how powerful that promise is.

God didn’t wait for Joseph to get out to bless him. He didn’t delay His favour until Joseph had a platform again. He met him in the low place. And He didn’t just comfort him—He gave him authority. Right there. Behind bars.

Maybe your “prison” doesn’t have iron gates. Maybe it’s a role you didn’t ask for. A season where your influence feels stripped. A place where you feel stuck, unseen, or forgotten.

But what if this prison is still holy ground? What if the Lord is still with you—right here, right now—and what if the work you're doing in obscurity carries eternal weight?

Dear leader, my encouragement to you today is this: God’s favour doesn’t wait for the spotlight; it even shows up in the shadows.

Reflection/Discussion Questions:

• Is there a “prison” season in your leadership that feels like a setback?
• In what ways might God be using this hidden place to shape you or trust you with more?
• What does faithfulness look like when no one else is watching?