God’s School of Brokenness
By Pastor Chuck Swindoll
Learning to Rely on God
“We run from crushing. We resist it. And if you have been through some of it already, and I know if you have been in the Lord for very long, you’ve already begun that school, then you know pretty much what I’m going to say. God seems to take delight in cutting His servants down to size so that in that spirit of genuine and true weakness, brokenness, and humility, He is able to use us and minister, literally minister through us. God’s desire is to remove from us all of the crutches that we have learned to lean on to get through the schooling of the past or to get through trials, to get through impossibilities. God’s desire is to remove all crutches but himself. His plan is to force us to stop relying on the flesh so that we might start relying on the Spirit.”
Let God Vindicate You
“There was a time in my life when I would fight and work hard at vindicating myself. Through a process of years and the dregs of painful experiences, I have learned that I am unqualified to do that. Furthermore, I do not learn when I am busy about defending myself. It also distracts me from my calling, which is all part of the enemy’s plan.”
God’s Sovereign Plan
“Just as He’s moving in your heart and mine, and as He will continue to move you in one way, you in another, you in yet another, me in another, him in another, and her in another. God operates like that. And He is not obligated to communicate to anyone else what His plan is, even though He may plan to use one of us in the other’s life. We don’t know how all of that weaves together, but it bundles together into a perfect plan.”
Expect Trials to Come
“I have no idea what God has for you, but I can assure you, if His plan is to use you significantly, there will be Sauls in your life. There will be caves and hopefully there will be psalms that come from that. Psalms of lament and brokenness that will help others who are just matriculating into the school.”
Crush and Remold Us, Father
“Thank You, Father, for Your faithful classroom work in the school of life. Just as Paul had his Alexander, just as Moses had his Aaron and Miriam, just as Nehemiah had his Tobiah, Sanballat, and Geshem, just as David had his Saul, we all will be there. As You crush us, remold and make us that we might be effective, empty-handed, open-hearted instruments used for the Master in Your way and in Your time.”
Additional Resources
First, sign up for our Chuck’s Insights on Ministry email where we bring you his best thoughts on preaching, leadership, and ministry each week. By signing up, you’ll instantly receive a one-page checklist with 20 preaching insights from Chuck. See this page’s sidebar.
Second, check out our new Preach The Word articles and video series on YouTube where we’re teaching Chuck’s best insights on this important calling.
Third, listen to Chuck’s messages to those in ministry through our Seminary Chapels page. For decades, he offered students at Dallas Theological Seminary his best thoughts on church leadership and ministry. Now, we have put them at your fingertips. Also, you can find them through this YouTube playlist we created for you.
Fourth, if you don’t own a copy of Chuck’s book on preaching, Saying It Well, we highly recommend you add it to your library. It’s his preaching memoir that is also like a practical preaching manual. You won’t be able to put it down.
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.
