Thrown Under the Bus – Keeping centered – Listening to the Holy Spirit –

Following Jesus From the Edges

Thrown Under the Bus

Pastor Calvin Cook

June 2, 2026

Scripture Focus: Acts 2:37b; John 8:47

“what shall we do?” — Acts 2:37b

“Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.” — John 8:47

There are a whole litany of things circulating in my heart and mind this morning. So, pause with me as I ramble through some of these thoughts.

Have you ever felt like you were doing exactly what God was calling you to do, only to find yourself thrown under the bus by someone you trusted?

Perhaps it was a friend who misunderstood your intentions. A family member who questioned your motives. A church member who criticized your efforts. A co-worker who took credit for your work. Or maybe it was someone you had stood beside, supported, and encouraged, only to have them turn against you when things became difficult. I share this because these have been recent concerns that have been shared with me from people who are trying to figure life out, what a relationship with Jesus should look like, and where is their place in life and living faithfully.

If we’re honest, these moments that we consider betrayal hurt deeply.

What makes it even harder is that many times we are not trying to serve ourselves. We are genuinely attempting to follow the leading of God. Even care for others.  We have prayed, listened, stepped out in faith, and obeyed what we believed the Holy Spirit was asking us to do.

Then suddenly, criticism comes.

People desert you.

Opposition appears.

Trust is broken.

For whatever the reason, I often find myself hurting when people who were such an intricate part of my life over the years, know are seldom seem or heard from. I also seek forgiveness for those who have felt betrayed or deserted by me.

Do you ever find yourself asking in these situations asking yourself, “Lord, what am I supposed to do now?”

That question is not unlike the question asked in Acts 2. After Peter preached under the power of the Holy Spirit, the people were cut to the heart and cried out, “what shall we do?”

It was not a question of self-defense. It was not a question of how to win an argument. It was not a question of how to get even. It was a question of surrender. “What shall we do?”

I believe that same question serves us well when life throws us under the bus. Not, “How do I prove I’m right?” Not, “How do I make them understand?” Not, “How do I get back at them?” But rather, “Holy Spirit, what would You have me do?”

Jesus gives us insight in John 8:47: “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says.”

The challenge for every believer is deciding whose voice we will listen to when we are wounded. Will we listen to hurt? Will we listen to anger? Will we listen to fear? Or will we listen to the voice of God?

The Holy Spirit rarely leads us toward bitterness. Instead, He calls us toward faithfulness, perseverance, humility, forgiveness, and trust.

Sometimes the greatest victory is not defending ourselves. Sometimes the greatest victory is continuing to walk in obedience while trusting God to defend us. When others misunderstand you, keep listening. When others criticize you, keep listening. When others throw you under the bus, keep listening. Because those who belong to God hear His voice. And His voice will always lead us forward.

As we pray this morning please consider this Reflection Question: When you feel wounded or betrayed, whose voice do you tend to hear first—your hurt, the opinions of others, or the voice of God?

Prayer: Lord, when I am hurt, misunderstood, or betrayed, help me resist the temptation to react from my emotions. Instead, teach me to ask, “What shall I do?” and then listen carefully for Your answer. Give me ears to hear the Holy Spirit, courage to obey, and faith to trust You with the outcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.