Insight for Living

The Bible-Teaching Ministry of Pastor Chuck Swindoll

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1 Kings

Epochal Events Nobody Expected

Have you ever faced a trial that was so surprising, unprecedented, and intense that you had no idea how God would take you through . . . but He did? Such severe trials don’t happen every day, thankfully. But they are exceedingly significant, epochal, we might say, because they reveal God’s power in ways we otherwise would not have seen.

In this series, Chuck Swindoll examines epochal events in the lives of Abraham, Joseph, David, and Elijah. Each event included an extreme test that stretched the person’s faith and then culminated in an epochal moment—a saving act of God designed to inspire us to trust Him during our own seemingly impossible circumstances.

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Listener Favorites, Volume 3

Your spiritual life may feel like a spiritual couch potato that sprouts an occasional spud. It doesn’t need to be that way! God has a wonderful workout plan for you.

This series of four of Chuck Swindoll's recently most requested messages outlines a spiritual fitness regimen for your walk with God. Messages include:

  • “Strengthening Your Grip on Purity”
  • “Simplicity Starts from Within”
  • “What Happens When We Pray”
  • “The Qualities of Simple Faith”


A healthy spiritual life should be more than a stagnant routine. In this collection of “Listener Favorites,” Chuck Swindoll outlines a spiritual fitness regimen designed to move you from a state of lethargy to a vibrant, active walk with the Lord. These four recently most-requested messages address the foundational areas of purity, prayer, and simple faith. By applying these biblical principles, you can strengthen your spiritual roots and experience the growth and vitality God intends for every believer.

Strengthening Your Grip on Purity

Sermon Summary We live in a society where sexual temptations abound and moral purity is often scoffed at. This message takes us back to the first century to explore the apostle Paul’s perspective on living a holy life in a pagan culture. Chuck discusses the necessity of setting clear boundaries and maintaining a “tight grip” on purity. We learn that holiness is not an outdated concept but a vital protection for the believer’s heart and a powerful witness to a watching world.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Challenge of Culture: Navigating a society that welcomes sin with gladness.
  • Paul’s Practical Counsel: Understanding the biblical mandate for sexual purity.
  • Guarding the Heart: The importance of intentionality in maintaining a holy walk.

Primary Scripture References

  • Matthew 18:15–17
  • 1 Thessalonians 4:1–5

Simplicity Starts from Within

Sermon Summary Our lives are often cluttered with external noise and internal complications. This message emphasizes that true simplicity is not just about our surroundings, but about our hearts. Chuck explores how a simple faith begins with an internal focus on Christ. By quieting the inner chaos and centering our thoughts on God’s Word, we can experience a life of clarity and peace that the world cannot provide.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Inner Simplicity: Trading internal complication for a focused devotion to Christ.
  • Quietness and Confidence: Finding strength through a centered heart.
  • Deepening Roots: Why internal growth is the prerequisite for external simplicity.

What Happens When We Pray?

Sermon Summary Prayer is one of the most powerful tools available to the believer, yet it is often misunderstood or neglected. This message explores the dynamic reality of what occurs in the spiritual realm when we communicate with God. Chuck discusses how prayer changes our perspective, aligns our will with God’s, and invites divine intervention into our circumstances. We learn that prayer is not just a duty, but a vital life-link to our heavenly Father.

Key Facts & Themes

  • The Power of Intercession: Understanding the impact of our requests before God’s throne.
  • Aligning with God’s Will: How prayer transforms our desires to match the Father’s.
  • Divine Connection: Recognizing prayer as the essential heartbeat of a healthy spiritual life.

The Qualities of Simple Faith

Sermon Summary What does it look like to walk with “simple faith”? This message identifies the core qualities of a life that is truly dependent on God. Chuck moves past religious complexity to the hallmarks of a child-like trust: humility, obedience, and an unshakeable confidence in God’s character. We are encouraged to strip away the “added extras” of religious tradition and return to the beauty and power of a simple, sincere faith in Jesus Christ.

Key Facts & Themes

  • Child-like Trust: Embracing a posture of humility and dependence.
  • Hallmarks of Faith: Identifying the visible traits of a life lived for God.
  • Stripping Away Complexity: Returning to the foundational truths of the Gospel.

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Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives

Do you want to be famous?

Many people would answer that question without hesitation—yes! But God, more often than not, does some of His most significant work through His forgotten few, as Chuck Swindoll reminds us in this Old Testament study.


While history often focuses on the famous, God frequently does His most significant work through the “forgotten few.” In this 14-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll rediscovers a group of Old Testament characters—some heroic, some tragic, and some obscure. By examining their lives, we learn that no life is insignificant in God’s eyes and that our choices, whether public or private, leave a lasting legacy in His kingdom.

1. Often-Overlooked Lives of Significance (Introductory Message)

  • Overview: Sets the stage for the series by challenging our cultural obsession with fame. Chuck highlights that many of the most influential people in church history were individuals who worked faithfully behind the scenes.
  • Key Fact: God values faithfulness over fame; many “forgotten” lives have shaped the course of history through their prayers and quiet service.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:27 – “But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong.”

2. Cain: The Farmer Who Murdered His Brother (Genesis 4:1–16)

  • Overview: The tragic story of the first person born on earth. It explores the roots of jealousy and the devastating consequences of a heart that refuses to master its anger.
  • Key Fact: Cain’s downfall began with a “downcast countenance” and a refusal to heed God’s warning that sin was “crouching at the door.”
  • Scripture: Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door.”

3. Abraham: The Father Who Released His Son (Genesis 22:1–19)

  • Overview: A profound look at the test of Abraham’s faith on Mount Moriah. It teaches the principle of surrendering our “Isaac”—the thing we love most—to God.
  • Key Fact: Abraham’s obedience was based on his confidence that God was able to raise the dead, illustrating a “radical trust” in God’s promises.
  • Scripture: Genesis 22:12 – “Now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me.”

4. Esau: The Son Who Couldn’t Win (Genesis 25, 27)

  • Overview: The story of the man who traded his birthright for a bowl of stew. It serves as a warning against a “profane” or secular mindset that values immediate gratification over eternal inheritance.
  • Key Fact: Esau’s tragedy was not that he lost a blessing, but that he lacked a spiritual appetite for the things of God.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 12:16 – “See to it that no one is… godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights.”

5. Achan: The Man Whose Sin Brought Calamity (Joshua 7:1–26)

  • Overview: Explores the “ripple effect” of hidden sin. Achan’s private theft resulted in a national defeat at Ai and cost several lives.
  • Key Fact: There is no such thing as “private” sin; our hidden choices invariably affect those around us and can hinder God’s work in the community.
  • Scripture: Joshua 7:21 – Achan’s confession: “When I saw… I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth.”

6. Samuel: The Boy Who Heard God’s Voice (1 Samuel 3:1–21)

  • Overview: Focuses on the transition from the era of Judges to the Kingdom. It highlights the importance of a heart that is open and available to God’s call from a young age.
  • Key Fact: Samuel’s ministry began with a simple prayer of availability: “Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening.”
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 3:10 – “Then Samuel said, ‘Speak, for Your servant is listening.'”

7. Saul: The King Who Refused to Bow (1 Samuel 9–15)

  • Overview: A study in tragedy. Saul had every physical and social advantage but lacked the internal character to obey God when it was inconvenient.
  • Key Fact: Partial obedience is actually disobedience. Saul’s attempt to substitute “sacrifice” for “obedience” led to his rejection as king.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:22 – “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams.”

8. Abigail: The Woman Who Saved Her Husband’s Neck (1 Samuel 25:1–35)

  • Overview: Abigail’s wisdom and quick action prevented David from committing a grave mistake. It illustrates the power of feminine discernment and diplomatic courage.
  • Key Fact: Abigail recognized that God’s plan for David was too important to be derailed by a petty act of vengeance against her husband, Nabal.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:33 – “Blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed.”

9. Absalom: The Rebel Prince Charming (2 Samuel 13–18)

  • Overview: A warning against superficial charm without internal substance. Absalom’s beauty and charisma hid a heart of bitter rebellion and entitlement.
  • Key Fact: Charisma can be a mask; Absalom “stole the hearts of the men of Israel” while plotting to overthrow his own father.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 15:6 – “In this manner Absalom dealt with all Israel… so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.”

10. Rehoboam: The Reckless Phony (1 Kings 12:1–24)

  • Overview: Solomon’s son, whose pride and refusal to listen to wise counsel led to the division of the United Kingdom.
  • Key Fact: Rehoboam chose the “harsh words” of his peers over the “kind words” of the elders, proving that arrogance is the enemy of leadership.
  • Scripture: 1 Kings 12:13 – “The king answered the people harshly, for he forsook the advice of the elders.”

11. Jabez: The Unknown Who Became Well Known (1 Chronicles 4:9–10)

  • Overview: A brief but powerful biography tucked away in a list of genealogies. It focuses on a man who refused to be limited by his painful past.
  • Key Fact: Jabez’s prayer was not for selfish gain, but for an enlarged territory of influence and for God’s hand to keep him from harm.
  • Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:10 – “Oh that You would bless me indeed and enlarge my border… and that You would keep me from harm.”

12. Naaman: The Officer Whose Leprosy Was Cleansed (2 Kings 5:1–19)

  • Overview: A study in humility. Naaman had to set aside his rank and his pride to find healing in a muddy river.
  • Key Fact: Healing often requires us to do the “simple” and “humbling” thing that God commands, rather than the “great thing” we imagine.
  • Scripture: 2 Kings 5:13 – “If the prophet had told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it? How much more then, when he says to you, ‘Wash, and be clean’?”

13. Gehazi: The Servant Who Got Greedy (2 Kings 5:20–27)

  • Overview: The dark side of Naaman’s story. Elisha’s servant chose material gain over spiritual integrity, resulting in the transfer of Naaman’s leprosy to himself.
  • Key Fact: Greed is a “leprosy of the soul” that blinds us to the value of spiritual work and the consequences of dishonesty.
  • Scripture: 2 Kings 5:26 – “Is it a time to receive money and to receive clothes and olive groves…?”

14. Uzziah: The Leader Who Became a Loser (2 Chronicles 26:1–21)

  • Overview: The series concludes with a king who started well but was ruined by his own success. His “extraordinary fame” led to a pride that cost him his health and his ministry.
  • Key Fact: Success is the ultimate test of character. Uzziah’s heart became “proud to his destruction” when he stopped seeking the Lord.
  • Scripture: 2 Chronicles 26:16 – “But when he became strong, his heart was so proud that he acted corruptly.”

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God’s Masterwork, Volume Two

In this practical series, covering the books of Joshua through Esther, Chuck Swindoll will provide a close-up look at the heights and depths of living in this world. From the heights of Joshua’s entrance into the land of promise to the depths of exile from the land, this series will trace the threads of faithfulness through the often faithless existence of God’s chosen people.


In this second volume of the God’s Masterwork survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the “Historical Books” of the Old Testament (Joshua through Esther). This era chronicles Israel’s journey from the triumphant conquest of the Promised Land to the tragic depths of exile and the hopeful return of a remnant. Through these historical accounts, we discover that while God’s people are often faithless, God Himself remains unfailingly faithful to His covenant.

1. Joshua: Triumph After Tragedy

  • Overview: Charts the transition from wilderness wandering to the conquest of Canaan. It highlights the importance of courage rooted in the Word of God.
  • Key Fact: Joshua’s leadership was successful because it was built on a foundation of meditation and obedience to the Law.
  • Scripture: Joshua 1:8 – “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth… then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.”

2. Judges: Recycled Misery

  • Overview: A sobering look at Israel’s downward spiral of disobedience, discipline, and deliverance. It illustrates the chaos that ensues when people reject God’s authority.
  • Key Fact: The book follows a repetitive four-part cycle: Sin, Suffering, Supplication, and Salvation.
  • Scripture: Judges 21:25 – “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”

3. Ruth: Interlude of Love

  • Overview: A beautiful narrative of loyalty and redemption set during the dark days of the Judges. It highlights God’s grace toward those outside the covenant of Israel.
  • Key Fact: Ruth, a Moabitess, becomes an ancestor of King David and Jesus Christ, proving that God’s grace knows no national boundaries.
  • Scripture: Ruth 1:16 – “Your people shall be my people, and your God, my God.”

4. 1 Samuel: Nation in Transition

  • Overview: Records the transition from the period of Judges to the United Kingdom, focusing on the lives of Samuel, Saul, and the rise of David.
  • Key Fact: This book marks the beginning of the monarchy in Israel—a move prompted by the people’s desire to be “like the other nations.”
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:7 – “For God sees not as man sees… but the Lord looks at the heart.”

5. 2 Samuel: Ecstasy and Agony of a King

  • Overview: Focuses exclusively on the reign of David, showcasing both his spiritual triumphs and his devastating personal failures.
  • Key Fact: While David was a “man after God’s own heart,” the second half of the book reveals the severe domestic consequences of his sin with Bathsheba.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:7 – Nathan’s direct confrontation: “You are the man!”

6. 1 Kings: Solomon and a Civil War

  • Overview: Details the peak of Israel’s glory under Solomon and the subsequent division of the kingdom into Israel (North) and Judah (South).
  • Key Fact: Solomon’s divided heart eventually led to a divided nation.
  • Scripture: 1 Kings 11:4 – “His heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.”

7. 2 Kings: From Compromise to Captivity

  • Overview: Traces the decline of both kingdoms as they ignored the prophets’ warnings, ending in the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles.
  • Key Fact: Despite the spiritual darkness, God raised up prophets like Elijah and Elisha to demonstrate His power and call the people to repentance.
  • Scripture: 2 Kings 17:13 – “Yet the Lord warned Israel and Judah through all His prophets… saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways.'”

8. 1 and 2 Chronicles: Reassurance for a Remnant

  • Overview: Written after the exile, these books retell the history of Judah to encourage the returning remnant of their spiritual heritage and God’s ongoing plan.
  • Key Fact: Chronicles focuses primarily on the southern kingdom of Judah and the Davidic line, emphasizing the importance of the Temple and worship.
  • Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray… I will heal their land.”

9. Ezra: True Man of the Word

  • Overview: Chronicles the return of the Jews from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple under the leadership of a priest dedicated to the Scriptures.
  • Key Fact: Ezra’s primary contribution was not just a building, but a spiritual reformation based on the study of the Law.
  • Scripture: Ezra 7:10 – “For Ezra had set his heart to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statutes.”

10. Nehemiah: Softhearted Hard Hat

  • Overview: The story of the rebuilding of Jerusalem’s walls and the restoration of its people’s security and identity.
  • Key Fact: Nehemiah models the perfect balance between fervent prayer and practical, hard-working leadership.
  • Scripture: Nehemiah 4:9 – “But we prayed to our God, and because of them we set a guard against them day and night.”

11. Esther: The Beauty and the Best

  • Overview: A dramatic account of God’s silent but sovereign protection of His people during the exile through a young Jewish queen.
  • Key Fact: God’s name is never mentioned in the book of Esther, yet His “fingerprints” are on every page of the narrative.
  • Scripture: Esther 4:14 – “And who knows whether you have not attained royalty for such a time as this?”

Common Questions: God’s Masterwork, Volume Two

1. Why did God allow Israel to be taken into captivity in 2 Kings? As Pastor Chuck explains in “From Compromise to Captivity,” God is patient but also holy. After centuries of ignoring prophetic warnings and practicing idolatry, the exile was a form of divine discipline designed to purge the nation of its unfaithfulness.

2. What is the significance of the “cycle” in the book of Judges? The cycle illustrates human nature: we tend to forget God when things are going well. The “Recycled Misery” shows that without a spiritual anchor, society quickly decays into moral relativism, where everyone does what is right in their own eyes.

3. How does the book of Ruth fit into the larger story of the Bible? Ruth provides a “ray of light” during the dark era of the Judges. It demonstrates that God’s plan of redemption (the family line of the Messiah) continues even in small, seemingly insignificant acts of loyalty and kindness.

4. What can we learn from the difference between 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Chronicles? Kings was written to explain why the exile happened (judgment), while Chronicles was written to remind the survivors who they were (heritage). Kings is more “prophetic” and critical, while Chronicles is more “priestly” and encouraging.

5. Is God still in control even when He seems silent, like in the book of Esther? Absolutely. The series emphasizes that Esther is a masterpiece of divine providence. Even when God isn’t performing “parting of the sea” miracles, He is working behind the scenes through the “accidental” decisions of kings and the courage of ordinary people to fulfill His purposes.

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Character Counts: Building a Life That Pleases God

Got Character?

Character is the moral, ethical, and spiritual fortification that keeps life steady through the tremors of compromise. Our character dictates the kinds of decisions we make and determines how we will treat those around us. Unfortunately, in today’s world, this important trait is in short supply.

More than anything, our culture needs men and women of God who are committed to character—to integrity in both their public and private lives. Join Chuck Swindoll for Character Counts: Building a Life That Pleases God as he helps you:

  • Understand your need for character and its impact on every aspect of life
  • Cultivate the essential traits of biblical character found in God’s Word

This series will help you to become a person distinguished by godly character so you can make a meaningful impact on the world around you.


Character is the moral and spiritual foundation that stabilizes our lives when the pressure to compromise arises. In this 12-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll draws from the lives of diverse biblical figures—from well-known heroes to obscure servants—to illustrate the essential traits of godly character. By examining their victories and struggles, we learn how to cultivate integrity, discernment, and faithfulness in a culture where these qualities are often in short supply.

1. They, Being Dead, Still Speak (Hebrews 11:32–38)

  • Overview: An introduction to the “Hall of Faith,” highlighting that God uses flawed but faithful people to model character traits that transcend time.
  • Key Fact: God preserved the record of biblical lives not for entertainment, but as blueprints for our own moral and spiritual development.
  • Scripture: Hebrews 11:32 – Paul lists Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae, David, and Samuel as examples of those who through faith “conquered kingdoms” and “performed acts of righteousness.”

2. The Discernment of Abigail (1 Samuel 25:1–35)

  • Overview: Abigail’s wisdom and quick action prevented a vengeful David from committing a grave mistake, illustrating the power of discernment under pressure.
  • Key Fact: Discernment is the ability to see through a situation to the heart of the matter and respond with grace and truth.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 25:32–33 – David’s gratitude: “Blessed be the Lord… and blessed be your discernment, and blessed be you, who have kept me this day from bloodshed.”

3. The Refreshment of Onesiphorus (2 Timothy 1:15–18)

  • Overview: A look at the rare character trait of loyalty, as seen in a man who sought out a lonely Apostle Paul in a Roman dungeon.
  • Key Fact: Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Paul’s chains; he went out of his way to find and “refresh” him during his darkest hour.
  • Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:16 – “The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains.”

4. A Plea for Integrity (Psalm 15)

  • Overview: David asks, “Who may abide in Your tent?” The answer is a character checklist focusing on honesty, reliability, and fairness.
  • Key Fact: Integrity is defined by “walking with integrity” and “speaking the truth in his heart,” even when no one is looking.
  • Scripture: Psalm 15:2 – “He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, and speaks truth in his heart.”

5. Reinstatement of a Runaway (The Book of Philemon)

  • Overview: The story of Onesimus and Philemon demonstrates the character traits of forgiveness, restitution, and the transformative power of the Gospel.
  • Key Fact: In Christ, a “useless” runaway slave becomes a “useful” brother, showing that character can be completely rebuilt by grace.
  • Scripture: Philemon 1:11 – “Who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me.”

6. Coping with the ‘Slough of Despond’ (Psalm 42)

  • Overview: Explores the character required to handle discouragement and depression, using the imagery of John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress.
  • Key Fact: Character is tested most in the valleys; we must learn to “hope in God” even when the soul is in despair.
  • Scripture: Psalm 42:5 – “Why are you in despair, O my soul?… Hope in God, for I shall again praise Him.”

7. Being a Balanced Woman of God (Proverbs 31:10–31)

  • Overview: A study of the “Excellent Wife,” emphasizing that her character is built on the fear of the Lord rather than fleeting charm or beauty.
  • Key Fact: True beauty is internal; a balanced woman is praised for her wisdom, diligence, and compassion.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 31:30 – “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.”

8. Beyond Charm and Beauty (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Expands on the idea that character is the only thing that withstands the test of time, contrasting external appearances with internal substance.
  • Key Fact: While society prizes the superficial, God looks at the heart and the “imperishable quality” of a gentle and quiet spirit.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 3:3–4 – “Your adornment must not be merely external… but let it be the hidden person of the heart.”

9. A Vote in Favor of Fatherhood (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Highlights the essential character traits of a godly father: provider, protector, and spiritual leader.
  • Key Fact: The greatest gift a father can give his children is the consistency of his own character.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 20:7 – “A righteous man who walks in his integrity—How blessed are his sons after him.”

10. Top Temptations Fathers Face (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Addresses the specific character challenges that men face in a secular culture, from the lure of the workplace to moral compromise.
  • Key Fact: Temptation is not sin, but yielding to it reveals a lack of spiritual fortification.
  • Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:13 – God provides a “way of escape” so that we can endure temptation.

11. How to Make the Truth ‘Stick’ (Deuteronomy 6:1–9)

  • Overview: Explores the character of a teacher or parent in transferring truth to the next generation through a life lived out loud.
  • Key Fact: Truth is most “sticky” when it is modeled in the home through the natural rhythms of life.
  • Scripture: Deuteronomy 6:7 – “You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way.”

12. Survival Training for the School Jungle (Selected Scriptures)

  • Overview: Provides character principles for students (and those in high-pressure environments) to stay true to their convictions in a hostile culture.
  • Key Fact: Like Daniel in Babylon, we can “purpose in our hearts” not to defile ourselves with the world’s standards.
  • Scripture: Daniel 1:8 – “But Daniel made up his mind [purposed in his heart] that he would not defile himself.”

Common Questions: Character Counts

1. Is character something you are born with or something you develop? As Pastor Chuck explains throughout the series, character is “built.” It is the result of thousands of small decisions to obey God rather than compromise. While we may have natural temperaments, biblical character is the work of the Holy Spirit transforming our hearts.

2. What is the difference between “reputation” and “character”? Reputation is what people think you are; character is who you are in the dark when no one is looking. The message on Psalm 15 clarifies that true character is rooted in the “truth in the heart.”

3. Why is Abigail considered a model of “discernment”? In “The Discernment of Abigail,” it is noted that she recognized David’s anger was leading him to a sinful act of vengeance. She used her wisdom to protect David’s future as king by providing a “way of escape” that was both humble and truthful.

4. How does Onesimus show that character can change? Onesimus was a runaway slave who had likely stolen from his master, Philemon. After meeting Paul and finding Christ, he returned to make restitution. This shows that the Gospel doesn’t just forgive our past; it reconstructs our character for a “useful” future.

5. How can I protect my character when I feel like I’m in a “school jungle” or a hostile workplace? Drawing from the example of Daniel, the series suggests “purposing in your heart” before the pressure starts. If you decide ahead of time what your non-negotiables are, you are far more likely to stand firm when tested.

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What If . . . ?

What if . . . ? What a haunting, yet profound question. We’ve all found ourselves in situations where we have felt helpless to determine our next step if the unknown were to happen. Either due to lack of knowledge or lack of ability, we wonder what we should do.

And yet, that very act of wondering, of asking questions like, “What If You Suddenly Lose Everything?” or “What If You Need a Second Chance?” stands as a perfect opportunity to gain biblical wisdom about difficult subjects.

As you make your way through this series about the difficult questions and decisions we face, remember that it’s in wrestling with the questions that we come closest to the Lord.


Life is full of unexpected “what ifs”—moments that leave us feeling helpless, confused, or blindsided. In this 12-part series (plus a concluding conversation), Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores biblical answers to some of life’s most difficult scenarios. By diving into the lives of biblical figures and the wisdom of the Epistles, this series provides a practical roadmap for navigating the unknown with faith and resilience.

1. What If God Chooses You to Do Something Great? (Exodus 3:1–4:31)

  • Overview: Explores Moses’ encounter at the burning bush and the common tendency to offer excuses when God calls us out of our comfort zone.
  • Key Fact: Moses offered five distinct excuses to God; however, God focused on His own sufficiency rather than Moses’ inadequacy.
  • Scripture: Exodus 3:11–12 – God’s answer to “Who am I?” is the promise, “I will be with you.”

2. What If You Suddenly Lose Everything? (Job 1:1–22)

  • Overview: A study of Job’s response to catastrophic loss, teaching us how to worship even through tears.
  • Key Fact: Job’s primary victory was not his patience, but his refusal to “charge God with wrongdoing” despite his immense grief.
  • Scripture: Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

3. What If You Are Being Stalked? (1 Samuel 24:1–22)

  • Overview: Using David’s flight from King Saul to illustrate how to handle persistent, unfair opposition without resorting to revenge.
  • Key Fact: David had a clear opportunity to kill his pursuer but chose to respect the “Lord’s anointed,” leaving the timing of justice to God.
  • Scripture: 1 Samuel 24:12 – “May the Lord judge between you and me… but my hand shall not be against you.”

4. What If a Longtime Friend Deceives You? (2 Samuel 15:1–16:14)

  • Overview: Examines the heartbreak of Ahithophel’s betrayal of David, offering a perspective on how to process the pain of a broken trust.
  • Key Fact: Betrayal is one of the deepest wounds a leader can face; David’s response was to pour out his heart in prayer rather than bitter retaliation.
  • Scripture: Psalm 55:12–14 – David’s lament over a “companion” and “familiar friend” who turned against him.

5. What If You Should Confront Someone in Sin? (Galatians 6:1–5)

  • Overview: Provides a biblical “how-to” for restoration, emphasizing the spirit of gentleness required when addressing a fellow believer’s failure.
  • Key Fact: The goal of confrontation is never punishment, but “restoration”—a word used in Greek for setting a broken bone.
  • Scripture: Galatians 6:1 – “Restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted.”

6. What If Someone Kicks You When You’re Down? (2 Samuel 16:5–14)

  • Overview: David’s encounter with Shimei teaches us how to endure verbal abuse and personal attacks during our lowest moments.
  • Key Fact: David viewed Shimei’s insults as something God might be using for his own discipline, demonstrating incredible humility under fire.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:11 – David instructs his men to “let him alone” and let him curse, trusting God to repay with good.

7. What If You Need a Second Chance? (John 21:1–19)

  • Overview: The restoration of Peter after his denial of Christ serves as a powerful reminder that failure is not final.
  • Key Fact: Jesus asked Peter “Do you love Me?” three times—matching the three times Peter had denied Him—to fully reinstate him into ministry.
  • Scripture: John 21:17 – Peter’s humble confession: “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”

8. What If You Struggle with a Permanent Disability? (2 Samuel 9:1–13)

  • Overview: The story of Mephibosheth illustrates God’s “hesed” (loving-kindness) toward those who feel broken or forgotten.
  • Key Fact: David sought out Mephibosheth not for what he could do, but because of a covenant made with his father, Jonathan.
  • Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:7 – David’s grace: “Do not fear, for I will surely show kindness to you… and you shall eat at my table regularly.”

9. What If a Person Is an Unrepentant Troublemaker? (Titus 3:9–11)

  • Overview: Instruction on how to handle divisive individuals who cause dissension within a community or church.
  • Key Fact: Biblical wisdom suggests avoiding “foolish controversies” and giving a factual warning before breaking fellowship with a factious person.
  • Scripture: Titus 3:10 – “Reject a factious man after a first and second warning.”

10. What If You Talk Too Much? (James 3:1–12)

  • Overview: A sobering look at the power of the tongue and the necessity of verbal self-control.
  • Key Fact: The tongue is compared to a small rudder that steers a massive ship; though small, it dictates the direction of one’s entire life.
  • Scripture: James 3:5 – “So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!”

11. What If Your Boss is Unfair and Disrespectful? (1 Peter 2:18–25)

  • Overview: Biblical principles for workplace conduct, specifically how to respond to harsh or unreasonable authority figures.
  • Key Fact: Responding with grace to an unfair boss is “finds favor with God” and follows the example of Christ, who did not revile in return.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19 – “For this finds favor, if for the sake of conscience toward God a person bears up under sorrows when suffering unjustly.”

12. What If You Were to Die Tonight? (Luke 12:13–21)

  • Overview: A challenge to evaluate one’s eternal readiness through the lens of the “Parable of the Rich Fool.”
  • Key Fact: The man in the parable was a success by worldly standards but was “not rich toward God,” focusing only on temporary security.
  • Scripture: Luke 12:20 – “But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?'”

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