The Mashgiach (Shiurei Chumash Parshas Vayeishev) deduces an important lesson from this pasuk. We might think to ourselves,“In what respect was Yosef Hatzaddik so exceptional? Do we not also constantly state ‘baruch Hashem’ and ‘im yirtzeh Hashem’ (G-d willing)? Have we not reached the level of “sheim shamayim shagur be’phiv” (the name of Heaven was always on his lips)?” The answer is that indeed Yosef was in a different league altogether. When he said im yirtzeh Hashem, he realized and truly felt that the outcome of his actions was completely dependent on Hashem’s will. He was able to say be’ezras Hashem because he perceived Hashem’s help with clarity. The expressions of his mouth bore witness to the fact that Yosef felt that “Hashem was with him”.

On the other hand, we are very generous with our use of these phrases. We might say im yirtzeh Hashem without Hashem even crossing our minds. Often people write B”SD (with the help of Heaven) on the top of their papers, and then they proceed to pen a letter that contains lashone hara or other foolishness. We exclaim be’ezras Hashem but we forget about Hashem Himself. Rav Wolbe related that while once speaking to a gadol the latter observed, “Look at this street that is bustling with so many people, and not even one of them is thinking about Hashem!”

The Mashgiach also recounted how he once came to Rav Yechezkel Levenstein and inquired how he was doing. Many habitually answer, “Baruch Hashem well”, however, he answered simply, “Well”. He felt that it was meaningless to say baruch Hashem without thinking about the words that left his mouth.

Rav Wolbe extrapolates yet another lesson from this pasuk – for one who has already accustomed himself to thinking about Hashem while mentioning His name. Even while amongst secular people, he should still speak in the same manner he would speak amongst friends. If one has a habit of saying be’ezras Hashem or im yirtzeh Hashem, he should not refrain from mentioning these phrases regardless of his surroundings.