從迷惘到信靠
逃避不能解決問題
經文
腓立比書四8-20
8弟兄們，我還有未盡的話：凡是真實的、可敬的、公義的、清潔的、可愛的、有美名的，若有甚麼德行，若有甚麼稱讚，這些事你們都要思念。
9你們在我身上所學習的，所領受的，所聽見的，所看見的，這些事你們都要去行，賜平安的神就必與你們同在。
10我靠主大大的喜樂，因為你們思念我的心如今又發生；你們向來就思念我，只是沒得機會。
11我並不是因缺乏說這話；我無論在甚麼景況都可以知足，這是我已經學會了。
12我知道怎樣處卑賤，也知道怎樣處豐富；或飽足，或飢餓；或有餘，或缺乏，隨事隨在，我都得了祕訣。
13我靠著那加給我力量的，凡事都能作。
14然而，你們和我同受患難原是美事。
15腓立比人哪，你們也知道我初傳福音離了馬其頓的時候，論到授受的事，除了你們以外，並沒有別的教會供給我。
16就是我在帖撒羅尼迦，你們也一次兩次的打發人供給我的需用。
17我並不求甚麼饋送，所求的就是你們的果子漸漸增多，歸在你們的帳上。
18但我樣樣都有，並且有餘。我已經充足，因我從以巴弗提受了你們的饋送，當作極美的香氣，為神所收納、所喜悅的祭物。
19我的神必照他榮耀的豐富，在基督耶穌裡，使你們一切所需用的都充足。
20願榮耀歸給我們的父神，直到永永遠遠。阿們！
信息分享
我在過去幾天曾建議說：你要願意面對你的迷惘並感受它。這與基督教會裡面很多人的觀點有所不同，我很了解他們所持的觀點，因為我以前也不例外。這個觀點認為：每當你看到一個困難衝著你來的時候，便轉身，開始讚美主，那困難便會消失。有些人甚至說：「你若是承認自己有困難，就等於容許它在你生命中有立足之地，這樣就不能夠把它去掉。「承認」能帶來「擁有」──你承認甚麼便會得到甚麼。
有人認為我們若注視困難，就會失去屬靈的視角，導致困難變得越來越大，而神卻變得越來越小。我完全同意這個說法。但是我們不能墮進一個陷阱，以為拒絕承認困難就可以令困難消失。著名的牛仔歌手奧特利（Gene Autry）說：「我一直持守一個做人的原則，那就是要對一切都是百分之一百的誠實──對神誠實，對別人誠實，對自己也誠實。」（奧特利是我童年時喜愛的歌手）
我要再一次強調，如果我們不願意承認有困難，便是否認事實，這就變得不誠實了。那些以假裝沒有困難來應付困難的人，等於是朝精神問題走出第一步。逃避不能解決任何困難，因為無論我們企圖逃避甚麼，它都會再成為我們的困擾。它會以裡面隱藏起來的情意結這個方式出現──衝突的逆流，來限制我們屬靈上的前進。
「我們企圖逃避的，必然會再出現」
進深研究
太二十六36-45；路二49；約五19-20；來四15
1. 耶穌怎樣對待自己的痛苦和迷惘？
2. 為甚麼祂能夠面對它們？
祈禱
天父，求您使這樣的意識深入我的靈中：我們企圖逃避的，必然會再出現。求您使我成為有勇氣的人──能夠面對任何事情，承受任何事情。奉耶穌的名求。阿們。
From Confusion to Confidence
Evasion solves nothing
Bible reading:
Philippians 4:8-20
8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.
11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.
12 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.
13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
14 Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.
15 Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;
16 for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need.
17 Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.
18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.
19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
20 To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Message
The advice I have been giving - to be willing to face your confusion and feel it - runs counter to the view that is held by many in the Christian Church. It is a view with which I am very familiar, for at one time I held it myself. It says: "Whenever you see a problem coming toward you, turn your back on it, begin to praise the Lord, and it will go away." Some go even further and say: "Once you confess you have a problem, you allow it to have a foothold in your life and you will not be able to get rid of it. Confession leads to possession - you will get what you confess."
I am heartily in agreement with the belief that we can look so long at our problems that we lose our spiritual perspective - the problem becomes bigger and God grows smaller. But we must not fall into the trap of thinking that refusing to acknowledge a problem makes it go away. Gene Autry, the famous singing cowboy (and a boyhood hero of mine) said: "I have always followed the rule of one hundred per cent honesty in everything - honesty toward God, honesty toward others, and honesty toward myself."
Once again I suggest that if we are not willing to admit to a problem, then we are denying reality and being dishonest. Those whose method of coping with problems is to pretend they don't have them are taking the first step toward mental ill-health. Nothing is solved by evasion, for whatever we try to evade comes back to pervade. It comes back as hidden complexes within - an undertow of discord that restrains our spiritual progress.
"Whatever we try to evade comes back to pervade"
Prayer
O Father, drive this thought deep into my spirit - whatever I try to evade comes back to pervade. Make me a person of courage - able to face anything and stand up to anything. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Further study
Matthew 26:36-45
Luke 2:49
John 5:19-20
Hebrews 4:15
1. What did Jesus do with His pain and confusing circumstances?
2. Why was He able to face them?
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