The Slings and Arrows of Outrageous Fortune
Thursday, August 21, 2025
“To heal is to forgive, to forgive is to let go, to let go is to let God.” – Rev. Kyle Bailey
Deanna and I recently experienced a situation involving a close friend who chose to say some rather nasty – and completely untrue – things about us, our church, and the people in it. He later apologized, blaming part of it on some medications he was taking, but the sting of his words remained as did the deep wounds they caused.
Our first reaction was to offer him unconditional forgiveness, which is exactly what we did… even before his apology. After all, that is what Jesus commanded us to do as His followers (Matthew 5:44; 6:12, 14-15; 18:22; et al). It is also what He modeled for us on the cross (Luke 23:34). However, I shared with the individual that whereas forgiveness is immediate, healing is a process. In other words, it was going to take a little time for things to go back to where they were before.
Sadly, that answer didn’t sit well with him and he proceeded to “double down” on some of his original accusations, proving the insincerity of his initial apology. Once again, we forgave him on the spot, but have since had to sever our relationship with him because of his continued false allegations and complete unrepentance.
Having been involved in ministry for almost 40 years and politics for about half as long, I have gotten used to “the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” as Shakespeare once said. However, Deanna is much more tender-hearted than me and this whole episode has really taken a toll on her. Finally, after grieving the loss of a close friendship by no fault of our own, she said “I just told God that He had to take it and work things out, because I can’t.”
And do you know what? He has… and He will continue to do so.
Being on the frontline of ministry means that you will be attacked whether you like it or not (we don’t), and sometimes by people you have grown to love and trust. That’s just the way the enemy works. Jesus was falsely accused and mistreated and so, why should we expect anything less (John 15:18-25)?
And so, my friend, when Satan’s attacks come – as invariably they will – my advice is the same as my friend, Kyle Bailey’s… “Let go and let God!”
“Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him…” Psalm 37:7a (NKJV)
- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President
