患难中的确信与对苦难的辅导

Assurances and Counseling on Suffering

患难中的确信与对苦难的辅导

People Crave Happiness  人们渴求幸福

“When I was five years old, my mother told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy.’ They told me I didn‘t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.“ (John Lennon)

五岁的时候，妈妈告诉我，幸福是人生的钥匙。上学的时候，有人问我，长大后要当什么。我写下“幸福”。他们说我不懂题目，我说他们不懂人生。（约翰·蓝能）

 

 

 

God’s Promises In Suffering  患难中神的应许

1. The one who suffers will never be given more than he can bear on account of his faith.  每位信徒所受的患难都不会超过他所能承受的，因为这是上帝按照他信心的大小量给他的。

 

  Isaiah 以赛亚书 42:3: ‘A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice;’  

  压伤的芦苇祂不折断，将残的灯火祂不吹灭。祂凭真实将公理传开。

 

  1 Corinthians 哥林多前书 10:13: No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.  你们所遇见的试探，无非是人所能受的。神是信实的，必不叫你们受试探过于所能受的。在受试探的时候，总要给你们开一条出路，叫你们能忍受得住。

2 Corinthians 哥林多后书 1:8, 9: We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.   

弟兄们，我们不要你们不晓得，我们从前在亚细亚遭遇苦难，被压太重，力不能胜，甚至连活命的指望都绝了。自己心里也断定是必死的，叫我们不靠自己，只靠叫死人复活的神。

2. God will never leave nor forsake his people. 

    神从不离弃、撇下他的百姓。   

 

Matthew 马太福音 11:28-30: ‘Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.’   

我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式，这样，你们心里就必得享安息。因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。”

 

Hebrews 希伯来书 13:5: ‘Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’

你们存心不可贪爱钱财，要以自己所有的为满足；因为主曾 说：我总不撇下你，也不丢弃你。

Lamentations 耶利米哀歌 3:22, 23: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

我们不至消灭，是出于耶和华诸般的慈爱，是因他的怜悯不致断绝。每早晨这都是新的。你的诚实极其广大！

3. In time, some good comes from all suffering  苦难迟早都会成为祝福。

 

Romans 罗马书 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

我们晓得万事都互相效力, 叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。

Psalm 诗篇 126: 5, 6: Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.  流泪撒种的，必欢呼收割。那带种流泪出去的，必要欢欢乐乐地带禾捆回来。

 

The Gospel and Suffering  福音与苦难

The entire Bible is about the gospel and, in some sense, suffering is a central aspect of the gospel. 整本圣经都在讲福音，从某种意义上而言，福音的中心却是苦难。

 

In the Bible, people are either…   圣经上讲到人要么…

 

1. Suffering (present)   正在受苦

 

2. Delivered from suffering (past)  从过去的苦难中解脱出来

3. Moving toward suffering (future)  面临即将要来的苦难

The reason suffering is so central to the Bible is because the Bible’s entire focus is to make Jesus known.  苦难之所以如此重要，是因为圣经的中心就是传讲耶稣。

 

No person suffered as Jesus did, the savior born to die.没人像耶稣那样受苦，因祂是救主为受死而降生。

Lamentations  耶利米哀歌 1:17: Zion stretches out her hands,

   but there is no one to comfort her. The LORD has decreed for Jacob that his neighbors become his foes; Jerusalem has become

    an unclean thing among them.锡安举手，无人安慰。耶和华论雅各已经出令，使四围的人作他仇敌。耶路撒冷在他们中间像不洁之物。

 

This is an indicator of the way that Jesus would suffer and die.

Hebrews 希伯来书 10:5-7: Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: ‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for me; with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. Then I said, ‘Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll—I have come to do your will, my God.’  所以基督到世上来的时候，就说，神阿祭物和礼物是你不愿意的，你曾给我预备了身体。燔祭和赎罪祭是你不喜欢的。那时我说，神阿，我来了为要照你的旨意行。我的事在经卷上已经记载了。

 

Jesus’ Suffering  耶稣受难

1. Isaiah 以赛亚书 53:3, 5: He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. 

他被藐视，被人厌弃，多受痛苦，常经忧患。他被藐视，好像被人掩面不看的一样；我们也不尊重他。哪知他为我们的过犯受害，为我们的罪孽压伤。因他受的刑罚，我们得平安；因他受的鞭伤，我们得医治。

2. Matthew 马太福音 27:46: About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, ‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?’ which means, ‘My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?’  约在申初，耶稣大声喊着说：“以利！以利！拉马撒巴各大尼？”就是说：“我的神！我的神！为什么离弃我？”

Jesus suffered:  耶稣受的苦:

 

1. Socially (rejection)  社会性的（遭弃绝）

 

2. Physically 肉体的

 

3. Spiritually 属灵的

 

Matthew 27:46 is the apex of his suffering.马太福音 27:46 是他受难的顶峰。

3. Colossians 歌罗西书 1:24:   Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.   

现在我为你们受苦，倒觉欢乐；并且为基督的身体，就是为教会，要在我肉身上补满基督患难的缺欠。

There is an ongoing aspect to Jesus’ suffering:  耶稣所受的苦有其延续性：

 

1. Ephesians 以弗所书 4:30: And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.   

不要叫神的圣灵担忧；你们原是受了他的印记，等候得赎的日子到来。

 

2. Hebrews 希伯来书 6:6: …and who have fallen away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.  若是离弃道理，就不能叫他们从新懊悔了。因为他们把神的儿子重钉十字架，明明地羞辱他。

Jesus continues to suffer, even today. 即便在今天，耶稣也还在受苦。

 

Jesus suffers when his people are disobedient.    当信徒不顺服神时，耶稣也在受苦。

 

Jesus suffers when his people are persecuted.  当信徒遭逼迫时，耶稣也与其一同受苦。

 

 

The Gospel and Suffering  福音与苦难

Luke 路加福音 14:27: ‘Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.’  

凡不背着自己十字架跟从我的，也不能作我的门徒。

 

The Christian participates in Christ’s suffering.  基督徒与基督受的苦有份。

 

Romans 罗马书 8:17: Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.

既是儿女，便是后嗣，就是神的后嗣，和基督同作后嗣。如果我们和他一同受苦，也必和他一同得荣耀。

 

2 Corinthians 哥林多后书 4:8-10: We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.  我们四面受敌，却不被困住；心里作难，却不至失望；遭逼迫，却不被丢弃；打倒了，却不至死亡。身上常带着耶稣的死，使耶稣的生也显明在我们身上。

 

 

Suffering as Preparation for Judgment

为审判而预备的苦难

Story of a Christian man who suffered greatly, but said that he had learned nothing from his suffering.   

案例：有主内弟兄曾经遭遇过非常的苦难，但他却说自己没能从中学到任何功课。

 

The real tragedy is the Christian who does not change through suffering.   

悲哀的是信徒不能从苦难中得到生命的改变

There will  be two judgments at the end of time:  末日的两种审判:

 

1. Judgment on sin  对罪的审判

Luke 路加福音 13:28: There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

你们要看见亚伯拉罕，以撒，雅各，和众先知，都在神的国里，你们却被赶到外面。在那里必要哀哭切齿了。

 

2. Judgment on works  对工作的审判

1 Corinthians  哥林多前书  3:11-15: For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.  因为那已经立好的根基就是耶稣基督，此外没有人能立别的根基。若有人用金、银、宝石、草木、禾秸在这根基上建造，各人的工程必然显露，因为那日子要将它表明出来，有火发现，这火要试验各人的工程怎样。人在那根基上所建造的工程若存得住，他就要得赏赐；人的工程若被烧了，他就要受亏损，自己却要得救。虽然得救，乃象从火里经过的一样。

The Christian will pass through the first judgment, (the one on sin) because Jesus saves him.  信徒会通过神对罪的审判，因为耶稣已经救了他。

 

The non-Christian will not pass through the first judgment.

而非信徒却无法通过这个审判。

The Christian will enter heaven as one pure in Christ.  信徒进入天堂，是因他在基督里成为清洁的人。

 

However, the way that he has lived for Christ, the state of his heart, will be judged to see to what extent he has glorified Christ.    然而，他为基督而活的方式，他内心的状态，会因自己怎样荣耀了基督而受审判。

 

The Christian will be subjected to the second judgment to be tested.

基督徒们是第二次审判的对象.

The first judgment concerns justification – the means of salvation.

第一次审判关注的是“称义”，也称为人得救的方式。

 

The second judgment concerns sanctification – the means of growth in holiness.  第二次审判关注的是成圣，也称为人在圣洁上长进。

1 Corinthians 哥林多前书 11:29-32: For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.  因为人吃喝，若不分辨是主的身体，就是吃喝自己的罪了。因此，在你们中间有好些软弱的，与患病的，死的也不少（死原文作睡）。我们若是先分辨自己，就不至于受审。我们受审的时候，乃是被主惩治。免得我们和世人一同定罪。

All earthly suffering is preparation for these two judgments.  

所有的苦难都是为这两种审判而预备的。

 

The non-Christian’s suffering is to cause him to receive Jesus as savior.  非基督徒的苦难是要叫他接受耶稣为救主。

 

The Christian’s suffering is to cause him to more fully make Jesus Lord. 

基督徒的苦难是要叫他让耶稣完全作主。

1 Thessalonians 帖撒罗尼迦前书 5:9: For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.  因为神不是预定我们受刑，乃是预定我们借着我们主耶稣基督得救。

 

1 John 约一 4:17: This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. 

这样爱在我们里面得以完全，我们就可以在审判的日子，坦然无惧。因为他如何，我们在这世上也如何。

Present suffering is an entering into these two judgments, so that one might get a taste of what is to come and seek change. 现在的苦难是为要预备进入审判而有的，因此，人可预尝将来的审判并寻求改变。

Additionally, consider that God presently prepares each Christian for coming suffering.

还要想一想，神正在预备每一个基督徒迎接即将来临的苦难。

 

Thus, God works in each Christian so that, when suffering comes, the Christian is neither flummoxed, nor confounded. 

因此，神在每一个基督徒里面动工，这样当苦难临到的时候，信徒不至于乱了阵脚又不知所措。

 

He can rest in the goodness of God.  他可以安息在神的良善里。

 

So, storms are coming; but God readies the believer’s heart now to persevere under them.  所以，神在此刻预备了你的心，让你能够迎接将要来临的暴风雨，让你在风暴中得蒙保守。

This is why Romans 8:30 states that the Christian is already glorified.  

罗马书 8:30 也阐明基督徒已经得着了荣耀。

 

He already operates in an eternal frame of reference.

他已经在永恒的架构中。

Hebrews 希伯来书 11:35: …Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.  

有妇人得自己的死人复活，又有人忍受严刑，不肯苟且得释放，（释放原文作赎）为要得着更美的复活。

 

Some Christians allowed torture to continue that they might be more fully conformed to Christ on the last day.  

有些信徒愿意受折磨，他们认为自己因此可能在末日会更像基督。

For the Christian, present suffering is like a “pre-testing,” that he would turn from sin, and be conformed to Christ.  对基督徒来说，现在的苦难就像是“预试”一样，他会离弃罪并更像基督。

 

In this way, the more he is conformed to Christ, the greater Christ’s glory.    如此，他越像基督，就越荣耀基督。

Matthew 马太福音 13:41-43: The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.  人子要差遣使者，把一切叫人跌倒的，和作恶的，从他国里挑出来，丢在火炉里。在那里必要哀哭切齿了。那时义人在他们父的国里，要发出光来，像太阳一样。有耳可听的，就应当听。

Man works on a temporal frame of reference with nothing coming after this life.  人以目前的框架来生活，就以此生为全部。

 

God works on an eternal time frame, so that present suffering only makes sense on that time frame. 

上帝以永恒的框架来做工，所以，现今的苦难只在永恒的框架下才有意义。

 

God Operates on an Eternal Time Scale上帝在永恒中行事

 

Psalm 诗篇 46:10: Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.  你们要休息，要知道我是神！我必在外邦中被尊崇，在遍地上也被尊崇。

 

2 Corinthians 哥林多后书 4:17, 18: For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.   

我们这至暂至轻的苦楚，为要我们成就极重无比永远的荣耀。

In preparation for the judgments that await, God draws the Christian to live in Christ, and the non-Christian to find Christ. 

面对将来的审判，上帝使信徒坚持活在基督里，而使非信徒找到基督。

 

In both cases, God uses suffering to communicate that this earth is not our home. 在这两种情况下，上帝用苦难说这世界不是我们的家。

Acts 使徒行传 5:41: The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  他们离开公会，心里欢喜。因被算是配为这名受辱。

 

1 Corinthians 哥林多前书 9:27: No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.   

我是攻克己身，叫身服我。恐怕我传福音给别人，自己反被弃绝了.

2 Corinthians 哥林多后书 5:10: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 

因为我们众人，必要在基督台前显露出来，叫各人按着本身所行的，或善或恶受报。

 

Hebrews 希伯来书 2:11, 12: Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. He says,

‘I will declare your name to my brothers;

In the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises.  因那使人成圣的，和那些得以成圣的，都是出于一。所以他称他们为弟兄，也不以为耻，说，我要将你的名传与我的弟兄，在会中我要颂扬你。

Hebrews 希伯来书 11:40:  …since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.    

因为神给我们预备了更美的事，叫他们若不与我们同得，就不能完全。

 

James 雅各书 1:2-4: Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 

我的弟兄们，你们落在百般试炼中，都要以为大喜乐。因为知道你们的信心经过试验就生忍耐。但忍耐也当成功，使你们成全完备，毫无缺欠。

1 Peter 彼得前书 4:12-17: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?”  

亲爱的弟兄阿，有火炼的试验临到你们，不要以为奇怪，（似乎是遭遇非常的事）倒要欢喜。因为你们是与基督一同受苦，使你们在他荣耀显现的时候，也可以欢喜快乐。你们若为基督的名受辱骂，便是有福的。因为神荣耀的灵，常住在你们身上。你们中间却不可有人，因为杀人，偷窃，作恶，好管闲事而受苦。若为作基督徒受苦，却不要羞耻。倒要因这名归荣耀给神。因为时候到了，审判要从神的家起首。若是先从我们起首，那不信从神福音的人，将有何等的结局呢？

 

The Traits of Those Who Suffer in Christ:  

在基督里忍受患难之人的特点：

Those who suffer in Christ:  在基督里忍受患难之人的特点：

 

1. Are forgiving  饶恕

 

2. Are patient   有耐心

 

3. Persevere   有毅力

 

4. Are sensitive to others  对别人的需要是敏锐的

5. Are quick to show mercy  更及时地怜悯人

 

6. Love others more completely  更完全地爱人

 

7. Are more deeply repentant   更深刻地悔改

 

8. Long more fervently for Christ   更恒切的期盼主来

 

9. Experience far greater joy   经历到更大的喜乐

 

God’s Kintsugi Objective  上帝的金缮目标

Kintsugi is a Japanese art form, in which the pieces of broken pottery are joined with gold glue. 

金缮是源自日本的一种用金色的胶将破碎的陶器粘黏（Zhān nián）起来的手工艺方式。

 

Psalm 诗篇 126:6: Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them. 那带种流泪出去的，必要欢欢乐乐地带禾捆回来！

Romans 罗马书 8:28: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.  

我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。

 

 

God’s “Kintsugi Objective”  上帝的 “金缮”（艺术品修复工艺中装饰手法较强的一种）目标

Where the breaks are greatest, there is more gold.  裂缝越大，补在缺口的金子越多。

 

The gold completely covers the break surfaces, so that a beautiful pattern emerges.  金子把每一条裂缝都覆盖住，出现了美丽的花纹。

 

Each piece of Kintsugi art is unique.     每一件金缮的陶瓷都是独特的。

 

2 Corinthians 哥林多后书 1:5: For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

我们既多受基督的苦楚，就靠基督多得安慰。

 

The Christian Response to Suffering

基督徒对苦难的回应

The central question of the Christian’s life is not, “What does God want me to do?” 

基督徒生命中的核心问题不是“上帝想要我做什么？”

 

The central question is, “How does God want me to change?” 

核心问题是“上帝要我怎么改变？”

 

Compassion for Those Suffering

对苦难者的体恤

What is the difference between sympathy and empathy?  “同情心” 和 “同理心”有什么区别？

Sympathy is to express sorrow for another’s pain and loss.“同情心”只是对别人的痛苦和损失感到难过。

 

Empathy is to actually identify with another’s pain and loss, so that one actually feels another’s pain, as if it is his own.

“同理心”则是对别人的痛苦和损失的认知，以至切身地体会到别人的痛苦。

God is forming people who do not just express sympathy, but who can feel empathy.   上帝要使我们不仅表达同情，更是能够与苦难者感同身受。

 

Those who can enter into another’s pain are far more sensitive and wise counselors.  那些能够体恤到别人痛苦的人，才更能敏感又睿智地辅导别人。

Isaiah 以赛亚书 50:4: The Sovereign LORD has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. 

主耶和华赐我受教者的舌头，使我知道怎样用言语扶助疲乏的人。主每早晨提醒，提醒我的耳朵，使我能听，像受教者一样。

 

1 Corinthians 哥林多前书 12:25, 26: …so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 

免得身上分门别类，总要肢体彼此相顾。若一个肢体受苦，所有的肢体就一同受苦；若一个肢体得荣耀，所有的肢体就一同快乐. 

Psalm 诗篇 145:9, 15-17: The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made. The eyes of all look to you, and you give them their food at the proper time. You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. The Lord is righteous in all his ways and faithful in all he does.” 耶和华善待万民，他的慈悲覆庇他一切所造的。 万民都举目仰望你，你随时给他们食物。你张手，使有生气的都随愿饱足。耶和华在他一切所行的，无不公义；在他一切所作的都有慈爱。 

Counseling Those Who Suffer  对苦难者的辅导

The counselor is wise not to…  辅导者要有智慧而不要:

 

1. Provoke a grieving heart  激动一颗悲伤的心

2. Burden a tortured conscience  给受折磨的良心施压。

 

3. Confront idols until the right time  在不合宜的时候对质偶像。

 

There is a time to simply grieve with those who grieve, and not to offer answers.  有时只是与哀哭的人一同哀哭，而不是提供答案。

When faced with those who suffer, the counselor should not say:  

面对苦难，辅导员不应该只说：

 

1. “It could be worse.”  事情本可能更糟。

 

2. “Look on the bright side.”   看看光明的一面。

 

The wise counselor comes back to the gospel, and offers the right kind of comfort to make Jesus come alive in the heart.   明智的辅导者会使人回归福音，并给人正确的安慰，使耶稣在人心里活起来。

In light of this promise of renewal with the dawn, the counselor needs wisdom to know which emotional pains to chase down, and which to leave alone, which to actively counsel, and which to let the mercies of the morning heal.  根据每早晨的恩典，辅导者需用智慧去明白哪些痛苦需要被抚慰，哪些需要被忽略，哪些需要积极地辅导，哪些需要早晨的怜悯来医治。

 

A Counseling Debate on the Issue of Suffering关于苦难问题的辅导辩论

 

Psychiatry often prescribes psychotropic medications to relieve the symptoms of some supposed “mental illness.”

精神病学经常开精神药物来缓解一些所谓的“精神疾病”的症状。

 

There are times when such medications can bring some symptom relief. 有时这样的药物可以缓解一些症状。

 

However, the goal of the biblical counselor is more than symptom relief.  然而，圣经辅导的目标不仅仅是缓解症状。

 

The counselor’s goal is that the counselee would be transformed by biblical truth.   辅导员的目标是使被辅导者被圣经的真理所改变。

There is a debate about whether the biblical counselor should avail his counselees of psychotropic medications, so as to assist the counselee to gain some relief from symptoms.  关于圣经辅导者是否应该利用精神药物，以帮助被辅导者获得一些缓解症状，是具有争议的。

 

The debate in this issue is between bringing some immediate relief from suffering, or allowing such suffering to continue, so that this is part of the drive for repentance.

争议在于，是立即从痛苦中得到一些解脱，还是容许这种痛苦继续下去，以便这是促使人们悔改的一部分。

 

This is a difficult debate because the Bible speaks both of the relief of suffering, and the benefits of enduring suffering. 这是难以定夺的争议，因为圣经既提到减轻痛苦，也提到忍受痛苦的好处。

 

The Watchman Nee Story of a Drowning Man 倪柝声讲溺水的人

A drowning man was allowed to continue struggling, until he gave up.  

溺水的人，直到主动放弃才会停止挣扎。

 

Then, the bystander jumped in to save him.

路人这时候才可去救他。

James 雅各书 1:12: Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

忍受试探的人是有福的，因为他经过试验以后，必得生命的冠冕，这是主应许给那些爱他之人的。

 

Suffering Continues Until God’s Purpose Is Complete 神的心意达成，苦难终止

 

Philippians 腓立比书 4:12, 13:  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.  我知道怎样处卑贱，也知道怎样处丰富，或饱足，或饥饿，或有余，或缺乏，随事随在，我都得了秘诀。

1 Peter 彼得前书 5:10: And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.  那赐诸般恩典的神曾在基督里召你们，得享他永远的荣耀，等你们暂受苦难之后，必要亲自成全你们，坚固你们，赐力量给你们。

 

Revelation 启示录 21:4: He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.  

神要擦去他们一切的眼泪，不再有死亡，也不再有悲哀、哭号、疼痛，因为以前的事都过去了。”

Romans 罗马书 8:18: For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.    

我想，现在的苦楚若比起将来要显于我们的荣耀，就不足介意了。

1 Peter 彼得前书 1:6, 7: In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 

因此，你们是大有喜乐。但如今在百般的试炼中暂时忧愁，叫你们的信心既被试验，就比那被火试验仍然能坏的金子更显宝贵，可以在耶稣基督显现的时候，得着称赞、荣耀、尊贵。

Hebrews 希伯来书 2:11, 12: Both the one who makes people holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers and sisters. He says, ‘I will declare your name to my brothers and sisters; in the assembly I will sing your praises.’  因那使人成圣的和那些得以成圣的，都是出于一。所以他称他们为弟兄，也不以为耻，说：“我要将你的名传与我的弟兄，在会中我要颂扬你。”

 

Crying Out to God  向上帝呼求

Hosea 何西阿书 7:14, 16: They do not cry out to me from their hearts but wail upon their beds…They do not turn to the Most High; they are like a faulty bow.  他们并不诚心哀求我、乃在床上呼号．他们为求五谷新酒聚集、仍然悖逆我。他们归向、却不归向至上者．他们如同翻背的弓．他们的首领必因舌头的狂傲倒在刀下．这在埃及地必作人的讥笑。

 

Those who are in pain are invited to bring their pain to God directly.

那些痛苦的人被邀请直接把他们的痛苦带给上帝。

 

They are not to just cry out aimlessly. 他们不能只是漫无目的地喊叫。

 

However, sadly, some prefer the isolation of their beds, instead of bringing their requests to God.

有些人宁愿把他们的床隔离起来，也不愿把他们的要求告诉上帝。

Why would some prefer to cry in isolation rather than crying out to God?   为什么有些人宁愿独自哭泣，也不愿向上帝哭诉?

 

When one cries out to God, one is changed by God, to see one’s suffering in the way he does, from an eternal perspective. 当一个人向神呼求的时候，他就被神改变了，从一个永恒的角度看他所受的苦难。

 

When one cries in isolation, he might remain comfortable in his sin, filled with self-pity. 当一个人独自哭泣时，他可以在他的罪中保持舒适，充满自怜。

 

Review Questions  复习样题

1. From the class notes, “Assurances and Counseling on Suffering,” explain the section, “God’s Promises In Suffering,” in detail.  

根据《苦难中的确信和对苦难的辅导》，阐释 “患难中神的应许”。

2. From the class notes, “Assurances and Counseling on Suffering,” explain the section, “Suffering as Preparation for Judgment,” in detail.  

根据《苦难中的确信和对苦难的辅导》，阐释 “为审判而预备的苦难”。

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