Thoughts From a Pastor’s Wife

My defense comes from the Lord…

“But the Lord is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.”         Psalm 94:22 (KJV)

Recently our church was given a couple of bad reviews on Facebook.  My husband and I were on sabbatical at the time.   So, what transpired was, many loving and well-meaning members writing to us.  In their protective care of the church, and us for that matter, was a reaction of ruffled feathers.  They wanted the reviews taken down.  It makes the church look bad.  Their requests to have the reviews removed aren’t necessarily wrong.  Nobody wants it in writing how bad people think the church they worship and serve at is.  But…. here’s the thing.  

“The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”  Exodus 14:14 (ESV)

There comes a time when you just have to let God be your defender.  Yes, the reviews hurt.  Yes, the feelings described in the words hurt.  And yes, they are the result of decisions that were made before we left on sabbatical, that were weighed with care, love, wisdom and a great deal of prayer.  I could go on and on in my husband and the elder’s “defense”.  But God makes a much better defense than we ever could.  And frankly, at this point, it is HIS to make.  He knows our heart.  And guess what?  He knows their heart, too. 

And, it has been my experience that good always prevails.  Usually, when it comes to good vs. evil, even Hollywood gets it right.  The good guys may come out bloodied, beat up beyond recognition, and scarred, but they win in the end.  And, usually the result is… the wrong is noticed.  In our case, we have to trust that the good reviews outweigh the bad.  We have to understand that we can’t really stop someone’s voice, even if we take the review down.  And guess what?  The reviewer’s words will speak for themselves and reveal the person’s heart, along with their name and picture for “all the world to see.”   

“My shield is with God, who saves the upright in heart.” Psalm 7:10 (ESV)