Why does God give (allow) a famine in life so severe

that it makes us forget all the prosperous times of life?

If the famine in our lives is so severe,

we will not remember the abundance of our previous lives.  

This extreme famine in life makes us

forget all the times of abundance

(Ref.: Genesis 41:30-31).  

Why does God give (allow) a famine in life so severe

that it makes us forget all the prosperous times of life? 

Perhaps, like the prodigal son, in poverty, with a heart of repentance for his sins,

Is it to bring God back to his Father?

(Luke 15:13-20)

Why did God cause a famine in the abundant land of Canaan,

flowing with milk and honey, during the time of Joseph? 

Perhaps God hated Joseph (37:8) and tried to make him repent of the sins of his brothers,

who tried to kill him (v. 20) and sold him to the Ishmaelites (v. 28)? 

Could it be that God is trying to make us think again

of the abundant grace He has given us in the past and to make us feel thankful to Him? 

Perhaps the poverty we experience due to life's famine

is a good opportunity to experience God's great salvation? (45:5, 7)