昨天我們在思考復興所帶來的問題時，看到有一家教會認為應該每天晚上認真禱告，直到復興的來臨；這是一種沉溺的需求過於深刻的屬靈渴望。在這兒我們不禁要問：甚麼叫做沉溺？沉溺，是不斷擠進腦海中、重複或持續的思想意念，以減輕個人的基本焦慮。它實際上是一種防衛機制，令人可以專注於持續或不斷出現的思想，從而避免焦慮。

多年前我曾經和一位年青的心理學家談話，他告訴我他曾作過一個關於人的個性的研究，對象是那些不斷撰寫或談論屬靈復興的人。研究的過程中他發現一個有趣的模式，就是這些人都有一種沉溺的傾向。我於是提議讓我也參加他所設計的這個心理測驗，結果顯示雖然我是堅定和專一的人，但是我可以接受改變，而這是有沉溺傾向的人所做不到的。當我看到他完全相信我是一個有節制的人時，我於是告訴他我一直以來同樣是對復興有很大的渴望，他聽後認為我真是一個例外！

我知道有些基督徒會由於個性的緣故而對某些事情執著沉迷，包括對復興的渴望。但是我也知道在世界各地，越來越多有節制的基督徒在這個關鍵的歷史時刻，發現自己的內心是越來越渴望能夠看見神行使祂更強大的能力。有些人可能認為這是一種沉溺，我卻認為這是一種掌管，是神的旨意在掌管人的思想。

Yesterday we looked at a church whose commitment to pray every evening until revival came was more an obsessive demand than a deep spiritual desire. This raises the question: What is an obsession? An obsession is a repetitive or persistent thought or idea which crowds into the mind and thus helps to relieve one's basic anxiety. It is really a defence mechanism which enables the personality to avoid anxiety by focusing not on the anxious feelings but on the continuing or recurring thought instead.

Some years ago I talked with a young psychologist who told me that he had made a study of the temperaments of people who continually wrote and talked about spiritual revival and had found an interesting pattern - all of them tended to be obsessive. I offered to take the psychological test he had devised and it showed that although I was determined and single-minded, I was also able to change - something an obsessive person cannot do. When I saw he was convinced that I was a fairly well-adjusted person, I talked to him about my own preoccupation with revival. And he said I was the exception that proved the rule!

I have no doubt that by reason of their temperament some Christians can become obsessed about anything - including revival. But I also know that around the world there is a growing army of well-adjusted Christians who are discovering within their hearts at this vital time in history a deepening desire to see God work in great and mighty power. Some may see it as an obsession; I see it as a possession - the thoughts of God taking hold of the thoughts of man.