Joseph Shows How Reconciliation Takes Courage: No More Ghosting!

“Have you ever tried to have the conversation you’ve been avoiding? You know, the one where your heart’s pounding, your throat’s tight, and you’d rather text than talk? Maybe it’s with your mom, your ex-bestie, or someone who totally misunderstood you.

Here’s the deal: it’s way easier to hide behind a screen. Ghost. Cancel. Scroll past. Pretend the other person doesn’t exist. We’ve all been there — I get it. Screens make us feel bold, fearless, even heroic. 

But here’s the thing: avoiding doesn’t heal. 

It just leaves that tension sitting in your chest… and it’s exhausting.

Joseph didn’t ghost his brothers. 

He cried. 

He faced them. 

He forgave. 

He stepped into the hard conversation — and God used it for something huge. 

Reconciliation takes courage — and yes, you can do it too.

Hey my fall squad what is up! Welcome back to FR, Let’s Talk! I’m your host, Kaase Levell, and I’m so happy you’re here today. If you’ve been following Joseph’s story, you know it’s been full of ups and downs — betrayal, family drama, and God’s faithfulness shining through even when things look messy.

Now, before we jump in, I just want to share something super exciting — FR, Let’s Talk is now officially a 501(c)(3) nonprofit! 🙌 That means we can now receive financial contributions or donations to help keep this podcast alive, thriving, and totally FREE for teen girls everywhere. 

If this podcast has encouraged you or your girl in any way, would you prayerfully consider partnering with me? 

Even $20 a month goes so far — that $20 alone covers our podcasting platform for an entire month! Your support helps us reach more and more girls with real faith conversations that meet them right where they are.

Ok, now let’s hit pause for a moment and catch up on where we left off last week. We were in Genesis 44, and oh my goodness — that moment with Judah stepping up for Benjamin was intense. That was all about courage, sacrifice, and putting someone else’s needs ahead of your own. Judah could have stayed safe, he could have let Benjamin face the consequences alone, but he chose to risk everything to protect his younger brother. Let’s recall, Joseph had his brothers in Egypt, and they didn’t know who he really was yet. 

He set up a test with Benjamin’s cup, and when the cup was ‘found’ in Benjamin’s bag, the tension exploded. 

His brothers were terrified — we’re talking heart-pounding fear levels.

And Judah, despite his fear, steps up. He pleads with Joseph, offering himself in place of Benjamin. 

He’s basically saying, ‘Take me instead. Let Benjamin go free.’ 

That’s not just bravery; that’s selflessness. That’s love in action. And it’s risky. If Joseph had decided differently, Judah could have lost his life. But God was weaving a bigger story — one that shows us that courage and sacrifice in relationships can change the course of everything.

And that act of bravery set the stage for Joseph’s big reveal and the powerful lesson that WE are going to unpack today. 

Last week, we saw what sacrificial love truly looks like — a love that asks something of us. This week, my prayer is that you step into reconciliation with boldness, facing it with confidence instead of fear.

That’s the key takeaway from last episode: sometimes the brave thing is scary, messy, and risky — but it’s worth it.

Funny confessions 

Okay, before we get too serious, let’s take a little detour. 

That’s right, fun friends — it is FUNNY CONFESSION TIME.

And here is my confession for this week: (BTW, if you’re new here, this is basically a little derailment where we take a quick 30 seconds to talk about all of the ridiculous things we do to cope through the nutso chaos that we navigate day in and day out. 

Confession time: I talk to my houseplants like they’re my kids. Like, I’ll walk by, see a sad little droopy leaf, and go, “Oh honey, I see you… I know it’s been a long week.” Then I stand there, staring, waiting for it to perk up, and somehow I feel like I accomplished something when it actually does. It’s wild, I know, but somehow giving pep talks to a fern or a cactus makes me feel like I’ve got life under control for five whole minutes. Who else low-key parents their plants and celebrates tiny victories like they’re the CEO of the universe? 

Alright, confessions aside, let’s get into the heart of today’s story. 

Genesis 45 picks up right after all that tension with Judah and Benjamin. 

Joseph is about to reveal himself to his brothers — the very brothers who sold him into slavery years ago. 

It’s the moment where courage meets forgiveness, and where God’s plan really starts to shine through.

Alright babes - grab your Bible—or pop open your Bible app—and let’s check out Genesis 45:1–15 (ESV). Honestly you guys, this is one of those stories that’s basically family drama meets God showing off His faithfulness—so you definitely want in.

Verse 1: 

Then Joseph could not control himself before all those who stood by him. He cried, “Make everyone go out from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. 2 And he wept aloud, so that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. 3 And Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph! Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, for they were dismayed at his presence.

4 So Joseph said to his brothers, “Come near to me, please.” And they came near. And he said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. 5 And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. 6 For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. 8 So it was not you who sent me here, but God. He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. 

9 Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me; do not tarry. 10 You shall dwell in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children's children, and your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. 11 There I will provide for you, for there are yet five years of famine to come, so that you and your household, and all that you have, do not come to poverty.’ 12 And now your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see, that it is my mouth that speaks to you. 

13 You must tell my father of all my honor in Egypt, and of all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” 14 Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept, and Benjamin wept upon his neck. 15 And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them. After that his brothers talked with him.

Okay, let’s break that down. Let’s be really honest…shall we? Joseph could have held a grudge forever. 

He could have let bitterness run the show. 

He could have stayed quiet, avoided the confrontation, or even punished his brothers. 

But instead, he cries. 

He reveals himself. 

He forgives. 

And then he gives perspective: even though his brothers meant evil, God meant it for good.

The tension? It’s massive. 

But Joseph chooses courage over avoidance, stepping into the hard conversation, AND trusting God to handle the outcome. 

And that, my friends, is what makes this moment so powerful for us today.

So let’s zoom in on 4 takeaways from today’s Joseph Story. 

First, 1. Avoidance Feels Safe, But Courage Heals“Scrolling past, ghosting, muting — it feels safe. Screens make it easier. But like Joseph, courage means stepping in, heart racing, palms sweaty, and saying what needs to be said.”

2. Courage Can Be Messy — And That’s Okay“Joseph cried, trembled, and still stepped forward. Being brave doesn’t mean perfect; it means showing up anyway.”

3. Forgiveness is Freedom“Joseph forgave before apologies came. Forgiveness doesn’t mean it’s fine; it means you refuse to let bitterness control you. That freedom is powerful.”

4. Your Brave Step Can Change the Game“Joseph’s courage didn’t just restore relationships — it saved lives. Your brave step in reconciliation might ripple farther than you realize.”

Alright, go-getters— here is where we make this personal. Think of one person you’ve been avoiding lately. It could be a friend you got into a fight with, a sibling who keeps pushing your buttons, or even a parent you’ve been frustrated with. Yeah, that person. Let’s be honest — avoiding them might feel easier, safer even. But like Joseph showed us, courage changes everything.

Now, let’s brainstorm some tiny brave steps you could take this week.

• Maybe it’s sending a text to that friend: “Hey, I miss you. Can we talk?” Even just acknowledging the tension is a step.

• Or leaving a short note for your sibling on their pillow saying, “I know I’ve been upset, but I want to try again.”

• Maybe you’re scared to talk face-to-face, so you pray for them first and write down your feelings — that counts as a first step too.

• Maybe it’s apologizing for your part in the conflict, even if it’s awkward or uncomfortable. That’s courage in action.

  
  

Here’s the thing: bravery doesn’t have to be huge. Sometimes, it’s sitting next to someone at lunch after ignoring them for a week. Sometimes, it’s smiling at a parent even when you’re annoyed. Sometimes, it’s choosing not to post something shady about someone online. Every little brave step is practice — it trains your heart to act in love and integrity instead of fear.

Grab a notebook or your phone and write down one specific brave action you’re going to take toward reconciliation this week. Don’t worry about being perfect — no dramatic speeches or life-changing confessions required. Just a tiny step. Maybe it’s:

• “Text Jen that I miss our friendship.”

• “Tell my sister I’m sorry for snapping.”

• “Pray for my mom before I leave for school tomorrow.”

  
  

Now, here’s the fun part: you can actually track this like a challenge. 

Each day you act in courage — even if it’s small — give yourself a little checkmark. By the end of the week, you’ll see how tiny steps can lead to big changes in your relationships and in your heart.

And don’t forget — God sees your effort, even when it’s messy, awkward, or imperfect. Just like Joseph trusted God to handle the outcome, you can trust Him too. Your brave step doesn’t just make life smoother for others — it shapes you into someone bold, compassionate, and full of grace.

So, pick that one person, pick your first tiny step, and let’s step into courage this week together.

Alright crew, now that we’ve picked our one brave step and written it down, let’s take a minute to invite God into it. 

Courage isn’t just about doing the hard thing on our own — it’s about leaning on Him, trusting that He’s guiding our steps, and giving us strength when we feel scared or unsure. 

So wherever you are, whether that’s sitting with your notebook, holding your phone, or just in your thoughts, let’s pray together and ask God to help us take those steps toward reconciliation and courage.

Prayer:God, thank You for seeing our hearts, even the messy, scared, and unsure parts. Thank You for showing us through Joseph that courage, forgiveness, and stepping into hard conversations can bring life and healing. Help us take that first step — even if it’s small, awkward, or scary. 

Give us boldness, patience, and wisdom as we navigate our relationships. And God, remind us that You are always with us, guiding us forward. Amen.

So, that’s your challenge this week: one tiny brave step, one checkmark at a time. And if you want a cheerleader and guide to help you keep going? That’s where coaching comes in.

Okay trailblazers, now that we’ve prayed and handed this courage thing over to God, let’s talk about how to actually make it happen in your everyday life.

That’s where FRwd: Coaching for Teen Girls comes in — a one-on-one coaching experience that’s like having a cheerleader, life coach, and faith guide all rolled into one. We’ll get real, laugh a little, cry if we need to, and figure out how to live boldly as the girls God made us to be.

This isn’t counseling, school, or a Bible class — it’s personalized, practical, and totally tailored to you. We’ll tackle things like your identity in Christ, handling emotions, stepping boldly into your faith, and learning how to live with purpose and confidence.

And the best part? You’re not doing it alone — I’m with you every step of the way, cheering you on, answering questions, and helping you take next steps that actually stick.

So, if you’re ready to see if coaching with me is your next best move, pull in your number one cheerleader (aka your mom or guardian) and click the “Is Coaching My Jam?” button to book your quick intro call. Let’s make magic happen, rockstars — because the girl God created you to be? She’s already in there, and it’s time to step into her.

Closing:Alright, fam — here’s the take-home truth: courage isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up, taking the first step, and trusting God to work in ways bigger than you can see. Maybe that’s reaching out to a friend, apologizing to a sibling, or even just choosing to pray first instead of scrolling past. Every small step counts, and every brave choice trains your heart to walk boldly in God’s plan.

Remember this: courage is scary. Avoidance is easy. 

But God’s plan is bigger than our fear. Like Joseph, step into the hard stuff, trust God, and let your bravery ripple in ways you might never see. You got this. I believe in you. 

So go out there, rockstars, text that friend, hug that sibling, and remember — God’s got your back, your heart’s in the right place, and honestly? You’re basically a legend just by showing up.