“Gotta be thick-skinned to survive ministry,” advised a pastor to my young husband. “I’d never have continued if I’d let every criticism get under my skin.”
As a pastor’s wife and mother, I found criticism and church-goer barbs dug deep when slung my way. They seemed to hurt even more if they were hurled at my husband.
Establishing ministry overseas was much the same. Cultural differences, global partner divisions, and disagreements on Biblical interpretation would become at times difficult testing ground, and not just with nationals, but especially with others of my home country.
Apparently Christian workers needed a pep talk about thick skin. I’ve heard the same advice often in every task and position of life, “you’ve got to grow thick skin.”
So what does that even mean? Especially in a world that lives under a pretext that my offense requires everyone else to accommodate their ways and views to fit me?
Many who flaunt thick skin often cover thin skinned hearts.
Jesus never hid truth because of fear nor changed God’s Word to accommodate the sensitivities of others.
The gospel of Jesus Christ will offend people.
And that is why it is mocked and targeted, as several public displays have proved recently. Blatant attacks on Christian faith are wrong. But our reaction must display Christ.
How do thick skinned Christians and soft, gentle, meek Jesus-filled obedient hearts meet?
How did Jesus, walk such a paradox perfectly even while He hung on a cross?
“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23 ESV)
Jesus was reviled, but He did not revile in return. He suffered unjustly, but He did not seek revenge.“When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.” (1 Peter 2:23 ESV) Share on X
He continued entrusting Himself.
He kept giving Himself to the Judge who judges justly. All His life.
Paradidomi (entrusted, committed) in the original Greek, means He gave Himself and His power into the hands of Another.
Jesus recognized that those who abused Him had no true power. Rather than take the power He owned to do what He could absolutely do, He kept submitting Himself into the hands of a just God. Thereby, He had the strength to die an unjust death for our sins.
Paradidomi does not hold onto grievances for self centered purposes but continually places them into the hands of a just Father for His purposes.
Jesus didn’t just grow thicker skin so He could be tough and not easily offended, rendering Him revengeful, brittle, and hardened. He reacted with a continual, intentional, and habitual walk of faith.
Unlike our perfect Savior, just because we are wronged doesn’t mean we are right.
Perspective and action comes through prayer, the lens of Scripture and the guidance of the Spirit.
God’s Word divides truth from error, and through it I look in a mirror.
“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12 ESV)
It is in the light of what God says that I can untangle reproach to find seeds from which personal, even though painful growth can take place.
Thick skin never justifies a thin skinned heart prone to unkindness or mockery. It requires boldness to proclaim Jesus when mocked with gracious speech and humble hearts.
“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” (Colossians 4:6 KJV)
This requires continual paradidomi, which slaps in the face, and smites at the heart of a world which can’t comprehend it. Paradidomi testifies of trust which demonstrates surrender to the righteous will of God. It focuses on knowingThick skin never justifies a thin skinned heart prone to unkindness or mockery. Share on X righteousness will triumph in the end. It purposes us for deeper assurance of justice because we have a Just Ruler.
But it doesn’t remain silent out of fear of consequence. Mockery against Christianity gives opportunity to speak of and demonstrate to Jesus’ love. May we be found faithful to the challenge.
Let’s lay down the thick skin and grow soft hearts that love Jesus with every fiber of our being. Therein lies true strength.
Brenda Griswold
Congratulations on the book! How exciting to know that God is going to use the things you have written to help to encourage others!
I love this post! I have been reading a book, “Jerry Falwell, His Life and Legacy.” All I did through the first few chapters was cry as this man had such a tender heart towards the lost- really anyone- coming home barefoot sometimes after giving away his shoes. I’ve been praying my heart would be more passionate for the lost and needy. Thank you so much!
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Brenda! I love your heart for the lost.
Don Pahl
So timely, Sylvia! Your counsel applies as well to our Facebook posts, especially in an election year! “ … always seasoned with grace!”
Thanks again, Sylvia. 😊
Sylvia Schroeder
Thank you Don!
Katherine Pasour
This is a tough topic, Sylvia, but you did a great job addressing it. We’ve all received the advice of “develop a thick skin.” There’s some merit to that because not everyone is going to be nice to us all the time. If we’re doing God’s work, we’re going to be criticized and we must seek His help to handle the negative attacks. However, I dream of a time when we can all have loving hearts and thick skins won’t be necessary. Thanks for this thought provoking message, Sylvia.
Sylvia Schroeder
Thanks Katherine. You are right. It is a balance. We do need to be willing to accept criticism and gain from its teaching. It’s not easy then to not just become hardened. Perhaps the soft heart comes from giving those difficult lessons to God and allowing Him to teach us even through the harshness of others. I really appreciate your thoughts and wisdom. Thanks so much for sharing your insight!