When You’re Feeling Intimidated in Ministry
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Many years ago, I went through a dreadful experience with a person who decided to make me his enemy. I still don’t know why he had it in for me. It remains a mystery. Nevertheless, it occurred.
This individual decided to make my life miserable.
- He watched my every move.
- He questioned my decisions.
- He cast doubts on my ministry.
- This person applied pressure, sometimes to the point where I thought I would scream.
I don’t know how much he said to others about his opinion of me; I never asked. But he said enough to me and was bullying and intimidating enough that I became frightened, especially when I realized he carried a gun!
Eventually, on one occasion, he even threatened me with it.
Crying Out to God
One bitterly cold Sunday after church, I went home and fell across our bed, not even taking off my overcoat. I cried out to the Lord. I wept audibly until I could not cry another tear. I had come to my wit’s end. I was exhausted, trying everything I knew to do to bring about a change. Nothing changed!
This man had a heart like King Ahasuerus in the book of Esther. We’re talking beyond hard!
Proverbs reminds us that the “king’s heart” is like mush, like soft putty—or we could say like Play-Doh—in the hands of the Lord; “He turns it wherever He pleases” (Proverbs 21:1 NASB).
Just for a moment, imagine another name in that proverb in place of “the king.”
- Someone who is giving you grief, perhaps.
- It may be one of your own grown, wayward children.
- Maybe it’s someone who represents a formidable presence.
- Someone who haunts you and maybe hopes to bring you down.
Stubborn person, right? Strong-hearted individual, correct? Imagine this person’s heart that seems so hard, so granite-like, changing into soft putty in the hands of the Lord. Is it really possible?
Yes.
God Will Work it Out
There is no heart so stubborn that it cannot become bendable—even breakable—in the all-powerful hands of the Lord.
God worked out my own situation is His time . . . and in His way. But He did work it out!
There is no wall so strong that almighty God is not stronger still. There is no will so stubborn that He is not able to soften it. If God can change the heart of Ahasuerus, He can change any heart—any heart! That includes the strong-willed king who opposes you. (Go back and read that again.)
If you are living your days feeling intimidated and threatened, anxious over the falling of the next shoe, listen to this counsel! God is able to take the heart of anyone and change it, just as He did with the heart of that pagan king.
Yes, anyone.
Copyright © 2025 by Insight for Living and Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights are reserved worldwide.
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.
