Good Will Come
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
As a pastor, I have often found myself in an unpopular spot. An individual who has come to me pours out his or her soul.
God very clearly leads me to confront or point out a few specifics that the person finds rather painful to hear, not to mention accept. Suddenly, I become the verbal punching bag.
Now understand, I didn’t write the Book, and I in no way view myself as the individual’s judge, even though the person may think I do. But I have had counselees scream at me, curse, stomp out of the room, and share with me a piece of their mind they couldn’t afford to lose.
Some wait until later and write me one of those flaming missiles that burns your eyes when you read it.
What did I do to deserve that treatment?
I told the truth. I simply carried a message as tactfully and well-timed as possible, but it was rejected—at least for a while. But the payoff comes later when the person realizes the truth was told and I really had his or her good at heart.
I suppose the moral of the story is this:
Being God’s servant may not be very pleasant or safe, but when you do and say what is right—unpopular though it may be—good will come.
Or better, in the words of Solomon:
When a man’s ways are pleasing to the Lord,
He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. (Proverbs 16:7)
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About the author
Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Pastor Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word. He is the founding pastor of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs around the world. Chuck’s leadership as president and now chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation of men and women for ministry.
