我們現在來到從迷惘走向信靠的第十個、也是最後一個步驟──決定以喜樂的靈、而不是退縮的靈來面對一切。今天的經文很清楚地告訴我們，即使是面對最令人困擾的環境，也可以喜樂：「雖然無花果樹不發旺，葡萄樹不結果……然而，我要因耶和華歡欣，因救我的神喜樂。」

在面對煩惱時我們可以有三種反應：我們可以對抗、屈服或是樂在其中。很多人面對煩惱時都選擇對抗，他們向天呼喊、質疑神的公義，認為自己有理由這麼做。這當然是一種可以理解的反應，不過不是基督徒應有的行為。有些人會對現實低頭，說：「好吧，要發生的終會發生」；「覆水難收」；「我惟有逆來順受」等等。很多基督徒以為這種屈服的態度沒有問題，其實這也不是基督徒應有的行為。在屈服的思想下有不自覺的怨恨。我們不一定能夠看到這種怨恨，有時它會被緊緊的壓制著以致我們感受不到，但是它確實是存在的。

基督徒面對煩惱的方法就是保持一顆喜樂的心。當最壞的事情發生時，我們不能只是忍受，而是要樂在其中。要是我們不能這樣做，就表示我們還有十分重要的功課需要學習。

We have now reached the tenth and final step in our progression : decide to face everything that comes not in a spirit of resignation but in a spirit of rejoicing. The passage before us today shows quite clearly that it is possible to rejoice, even in the face of the most disturbing circumstances: "Though the fig-tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines...yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Saviour."

There are three responses we can make in the presence of trouble: we can rebel against it, resign ourselves to it, or we can rejoice in it. Many take the way of rebellion when confronted by trouble - they cry out against the heavens and question the justice of God, believing they have good cause to do so. It is an understandable reaction, of course - but it is not the Christian way. Others resign themselves to the situation and say such things as: "Well, what will be will be." "There's no point in crying over spilt milk." "I will just have to grin and bear it." But resignation is not the Christian way either - although many believers think it is. Beneath all resignation simmers an unconscious resentment. It cannot always be observed and it is sometimes so deeply repressed that it cannot even be felt - but it is there nevertheless.

The Christian way of facing trouble is the way of rejoicing. When the worst comes to the worst, we are not just to put up with it, but rejoice in it. And if we can't - then we still have a vital lesson to learn.