When People Throw Stones, Part 4

This is the fourth, and final, post on coping with the challenges of facing criticism in ministry.

Hold on to Hope

Hold on to hope. God is working behind the scenes to accomplish a greater good. Listen to Joseph when life’s lessons were drawing to a close: “You sold me,” he said to his brothers, “but God sent me” (Genesis 45:4, 5, emphasis added). “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20, emphasis added).

Behind every difficulty Joseph saw the good intention and guiding hand of his Father. So must we. God can use everything—even our critics—for our good. The stones they throw can be gathered and used to build a stronger relationship with Christ and a more enduring marriage and ministry.

Some years ago a young minister went to his father to gain perspective on a situation in which he had been unjustly criticized and then forced out of the church. His father’s words were, “Remember, God often uses the mistakes of others to accomplish His purposes in your life.” There is wisdom and comfort in those words.

Our friend and mentor Elaine Stedman, who walked in ministry partnership with her husband Ray for more than forty years, has written, “Attacks on a pastor can solidify the spiritual bonding of husband and wife as a serving unit. Anything that drives us to our knees must be counted as a benefaction.”

3 Responses to “When People Throw Stones, Part 4”

1. nivins says:

   January 31, 2010 at 10:06 am

   David,
   Is it not true that even when WE are the ones who made poor choices, “meant it for evil” that “God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20
   Sometimes we pick up the stones thrown by others and beat ourselves with them. Maybe we even threw the first stone. Does this truth, that God means it for good, still apply? How?
2. nivins says:

   January 31, 2010 at 10:38 am

   Psalm 38 comes to mind.
3. Bill Crowder says:

   February 1, 2010 at 9:00 am

   I think also that this is where Romans 8:28 comes in… it is not just the tings others do, it is the “all things” of life that God is able to use.