逆境是负担还是桥梁？（三）
保罗信靠上帝的信实，他学会倚靠上帝的扶持通过一切艰难考验。
保罗在哥林多前书10:13告诉我们：“ 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。”
比起保罗想要的，天父更重视他的侍奉：尽管圣经应许，以耶和华为乐，祂就将你心里所求的赐给你（诗篇37:4），但是上帝还是会优先培养我们的品性，而让我们舒适是其次的。上帝不是满足保罗寻求安舒的本性，而是差下逆境来装备他，好使他能作出更大的侍奉（哥林多后书12:7恐怕我因所得的启示甚大，就过于自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉体上，就是撒但的差役要攻击我，免得我过于自高）。
甚至在保罗受难时，上帝也使他的侍奉强大有力：御营全军都因保罗的被囚而听到了福音（腓立比1:13-15）
所以我们越是坚韧面对逆境，就越能有效力地将福音传给人们。当人们看到我们，虽经受痛苦和苦难，但是对上帝的信心却丝毫不减，那么我们对他们的影响力就是巨大的。
而对我们来说，最关键的就是将每一件事都看作是来自上帝（看哥林多后书12:7）
上帝教导我们其中一个最重要的功课，就是懂得凡事都是为祂所用，甚至是人的恶行，为的是成就祂对我们生命的旨意。
苦难往往是促进我们与上帝的亲密关系。我们亲近上帝，所以我们的痛苦得以减轻，而在这个过程中，我们也懂得了更多上帝的运作（看哥林多后书12:9-10）。
逆境也装备我们能更有效力地安慰别人。上帝是用我们的苦难来装备我们，好使我们能侍奉他人（哥林多后书1:3-4愿颂赞归与我们的主耶稣基督的父 神，就是发慈悲的父，赐各样安慰的 神。我们在一切患难中，祂就安慰我们，叫我们能用 神所赐的安慰，去安慰那遭各样患难的人）。如果我们经过了与别人相似的苦难，这便是最好地预备我们能够安慰受这苦难的人。
作为基督徒，在逆境中我们应当喜乐。诗篇103:19说，“耶和华在天上立定宝座，祂的权柄统管万有”。换句话说，上帝是掌管着我们生命里发生的每一件事。并且，“上帝使万事互相效力，叫爱祂的人得益处，就是按祂旨意被召的人”（罗马书8:28）。当这两节经文得到正确解读时，它就架起了一座桥梁，使我们能够战胜生命中所有的逆境。
亲爱的弟兄姊妹们，很可能今天你正在经受逆境。我祷告，你会选择把逆境视为增深与耶稣基督关系的桥梁。如果你是真基督徒，那么圣灵的神奇大能会为你运作，它会装备你、改造你，并扶持你通过一切艰难险阻。透过痛苦和艰难，上帝向我们证明，我们是多么地需要祂的扶持。逆境的桥梁能够使你与我们尊贵的救主耶稣基督的关系，达到难以形容的亲密境地。阿们！
（完）
ADVERSITY-BURDEN OR BRIDGE?（三）
Paul could trust in the LORD’s faithfulness. And he had learned to depend on the LORD to carry him through any trial.
In 1 Cor.10:13 Paul told us “……GOD is faithful , who will not all allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able , but with temptation will provide the way of escape also , so that you will be able to endure it.”
The FATHER valued Paul’s service more than his desires: Although SCRIPTURE promises that the LORD delights in giving us the desires of our hearts (Ps 37:4), HE will prioritize our character development over our comfort. Instead of satisfying Paul’s natural inclination towards comfort and ease, GOD sent adversity to prepare him for greater service (2 Cor.12:7).
Even in Paul’s adversity, GOD would strengthen Paul’s message: Because Paul was imprisoned, the entire Praetorian guard heard the gospel (Phil.1:13-15).
The more adversity we face, the more effective our message will be to others. We have our greatest impact when people watch us go through pain and suffering with our faith intact.
It is most important for us to see everything as coming from GOD. (See 2 Cor 12:7)
One of the most important lessons GOD has taught me is to recognize that HE uses everything, even the wrong of others, for HIS purposes in my life.
Suffering often is the stimulus to greater closeness with GOD. We draw near to HIM for relief from the pain and, in the process, discover more about how HE works.(See 2 Cor.12:9-10)
Adversities prepare us to comfort others more effectively. GOD uses our sufferings to prepare us to minister to others(2 Cor. 1:3-4). We are best equipped to comfort others if we have been through something similar.
As Christians we should rejoice in the midst of adversity. Psalm 103:19 says, “The LORD has established HIS throne in the heavens, and HIS sovereignty rules over all.” In other words, GOD is in control of everything that happens to us. And “GOD causes all things to work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are called according to HIS purpose”(Rom. 8:28). When these two verses are correctly interpreted, they become a bridge that allows us to overcome all adversities in life.
Dear Brothers n Sisters,
Most likely, you are experiencing some degree of adversity today. I pray that you will choose to see adversity as a bridge to a deeper relationship with JESUS CHRIST. If you are a true believer, the awesome power of HOLY SPIRIT is available to equip you, transform you, and carry you through any suffering. Through pain n hardship, GOD demonstrates how much we need HIS help. The bridge of adversity can take you to a place of indescribable intimacy with our precious LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST. Amen.
