“Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit” (Mark 13:11, NIV).

“I walked into his room without time to review his chart thoroughly. He had come for help with his chronic anxiety. He was 28 years old, and six months earlier he had begun the hormonal transition from male toward female. I wasn’t sure what pronoun he was using. He needed emotional support and help I knew I was not qualified to give, given his gender dysphoria, of which am not an expert. But then I understood he came because I did have what he needed. ‘I’m a Christian,’ I began. ‘I believe that God created us in His image with a perfect plan for our lives, and He loves us fully just the way we were created….’ ‘I used to have that foundation,’ he said. ‘Somehow, I stepped away from it. I need to move back in that direction.’ I don’t know how much I helped him that day with a word from the Lord and a prescription for Sertraline. I know I was compelled to offer the hope he needed most, and I am praying he will be made whole in Christ. He continues to see me with his healthcare needs. I pray God will continue to speak through my care.”

—A Christian physician

What do you say when you are not an expert, but you know God wants you to speak?

Transgender and sexual preference issues are just two areas that most of us as Christian healthcare professionals are uncomfortable in addressing.

There are many more: abortion, physician-assisted suicide, the suffering of innocents, care for the uninsured, colleagues who trust in gods apart from Christ.

Most of us are poorly prepared to guide people toward God’s truth in numerous complex areas of life. Most of us remain silent when confronted because we are afraid of our own ignorance, or afraid of reactive anger, or afraid our respect and livelihood might be diminished if we blurt out what we believe. It takes courage to speak with such fears tying our tongues.

God demands our boldness, but He wants a boldness that avoids two extremes: pride and fear.

Jonathan Edwards said, “There is a false boldness for Christ that only comes from pride. A man may rashly expose himself to the world’s dislike and even deliberately provoke its displeasure, and yet do so out of pride…True boldness for Christ transcends all; it is indifferent to the displeasure of either friends or foes. Boldness enables Christians to forsake all rather than Christ, and to prefer to offend all rather than to offend Him.”

We must always speak when the Holy Spirit leads. We must trust Him with the words. We should never speak out of ignorance or pride. We must only speak with humility and love. We must never stay silent out of fear.

And regardless of our ineptitude on the topic at hand, we should always point them to the One who has all truth.

Dear God,
Help me prepare myself for difficult conversations.. Help me speak the truth in love when you lead and trust you with the results. Help me point them to you.
Amen