There is a verse that has become very significant to me in the remaining days that I will spend in this country.

“But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive” (Genesis 50:20).

When we go into missionary service we are prepared for opposition and trials but we tend to think that most of these will come from people outside of our own ministry team and church membership. I mean isn’t our main adversary supposed to be Satan himself? Unfortunately, this is not always the case and the opposition of a fellow minister, whether missionary or national, is acutely painful.

I have been walking, or I should probably say, I have been stumbling for many months after being dealt a death blow by a man, my husband and I partnered with in church leadership. He was considered a stubborn and independent individual but we had no idea that our ministry gifts and infuence would make him our adversary. He had been preaching and doing things considered Biblically unsound for quite a few years and it was a challenge to work with him. Finally, last year the denominational leadership asked him to explain his actions. My husband had already shared his concerns with him privately and certainly could not agree with many of his practices. When we agreed with the denominational leadership that their concerns were appropriate and their questions needed answers, we became the targets of much slander.

As with Joseph in the Genesis account, my family and I were pushed in to a pit by “our brother”. We had been verbally abused before but this time the intent was to permanently dispose of us. When I landed in the bottom of that pit, I had no strength to climb out. I became depressed and even angry at God at times. “Why did I have to live in this foreign country and give 10 years of my life to be so unjustly treated by a man who should not even be in church ministry?”

I know God was trying to speak to me through those dark times but I will admit that some days I was not listening. I did not want to stay in my pit of discouragement and defeat but it seemed like the only thing which was offered to me at the time.

One day I noticed a new book title, Get Out Of That Pit by Beth Moore and I ordered it. From the first pages of that book, the Lord began to work in my heart and I was lifted out of that pit before I even finished the book. I cannot say that everything is perfect. My family continues to be the target of this man’s revengeful spirit but I refuse to be thrown back in that pit!

Our mission agency has now officially severed it’s partnership with this man and the group he leads because of his abusive use of spiritual authority and unresolved doctrinal issues. All our denominational missionaries are being pulled from this country. We do not know yet where God is going to lead us but I do have this assurance that though “you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

Have you felt the pain of missionary service? Do not despair! The story of Joseph can be a word of encouragement to you too. Though his problems did not end when he got out of the pit, God had a greater plan and Joseph’s enemies could not thwart what God would ultimately do through him. God was faithful to Joseph and through him many were saved.

Recommended reading :

Get Out Of That Pit by Beth Moore

The story of Joseph – Genesis 37-50

Psalm 16

Do you have another favorite book or Bible passage to recommend?