在令人沮喪的時刻找到鼓勵──FINDING ENCOURAGEMENT IN DISCOURAGING TIMES
For English version, please refer to the latter part of this page
天生樂觀的我，困難必須堆積到相當高的程度，我才會感到沮喪。通常，我能在任何黑暗時刻，找到光明的一面。然而，最近有那麼一個星期，我的樂觀面對艱鉅的挑戰，竟然不堪一擊。
我們即將到來的活動，正大量面臨一個接著一個的麻煩，我們遇到了線上溝通和註冊方面的困難，而且我也看到一些顧客的問題，若要想會議成功，就必須盡快解決。
隨著我的沮喪不斷增加，我不知道如何解決我們所面臨的困難。但我確定一件事：我需要獨處。我決定暫時離開，躲進我的汽車裡。
一邊開著車，我迫切的禱告並尋求上帝的帶領與智慧。我極度渴望得到答案，儘管我很沮喪，但我相信上帝會為我們提供所需的答案。這段個人反思的時刻，讓我想起了新約聖經中的一段話 : 「我的弟兄們，你們落在百般試煉中，都要以為大喜樂；因為知道你們的信心經過試驗，就生忍耐。」(雅各書1章2-3節)
雖然我當時並未感到喜樂的情緒，但當停下來回想並抓緊這個應許時，戲劇性地影響了我的態度，以及我應對那些，看似難以克服之問題的方法。當我意識到，上帝在所有這些挑戰中，都有一個目的時，我的沮喪感就減輕了。擁有這種新的平靜感，我和與我合作的人，就能夠重新審視我們所面臨的問題，而找到令人滿意的解決方案。上帝的話語在我深感沮喪的時候，可以給予我鼓勵，同樣地，它也能為你帶來相同的力量。
聖經對於我們面對逆境和沮喪的時候，有很多教導。以下是我們可以在聖經中，找到的一些簡單而直接的保證：
相信上帝知道自己在做什麼。在面臨重大問題時，我們可能很難相信，上帝知道我們正在面對什麼困境。然而，聖經向我們保證，祂確實知道並理解我們的處境。「耶和華說：我知道我向你們所懷的意念是賜平安的意念，不是降災禍的意念，要叫你們末後有指望。」(耶利米書29章11節)
相信上帝的指引。信仰之旅中，非常美好的一點就是，當我們做出錯誤的決定或偏離正道時，上帝有能力重新引導我們的那份確據。「你要專心仰賴耶和華，不可倚靠自己的聰明，在你一切所行的事上都要認定他，他必指引你的路。」(箴言3章5-6節)
相信上帝的智慧。當我們尋求上帝和祂的智慧時，祂能夠並且會以多種方式提供。關鍵在於我們不僅要祈求，還要相信祂會在我們需要的時候，提供我們所需要的。「你們中間若有缺少智慧的，應當求那厚賜與眾人、也不斥責人的神，主就必賜給他。只要憑著信心求，一點不疑惑；因為那疑惑的人，就像海中的波浪，被風吹動翻騰。」(雅各書1章5-6節)
@2024版權所有，經許可改編自 “UBN誠信時刻”，關於職場工作中信仰議題的評論。UBN（非常規企業聯盟）是一個服務小型企業界的國際性職場信仰事工。UBN的官網: www.unconventionalbusiness.org
挑戰思考
是否有一位或一小群人，是你在困難和沮喪時可以倚靠的呢？如果有，請務必在這個星期打電話或與他們見面，即使你當前並沒有面對任何難以解決的問題。持續建立這樣的關係是重要的，而不是等到有緊急情況時才去做。如果你已參加CBMC，像是分會或Forum，這將是一個，相互鼓勵的絕佳場合。此外，讓別人知道，當他們感到氣餒或沮喪時，你也隨時可以幫助他們。
備註：如果你有聖經，想閱讀更多相關的內容，請參考下面的經文（因篇幅有限，請自行參閱未列出的經文：詩篇37:25-34，馬太福音6:25-34）
詩篇37篇1-7節
37:1（大衛的詩。）不要為作惡的心懷不平，也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。
37:2因為他們如草快被割下，又如青菜快要枯乾。
37:3你當倚靠耶和華而行善，住在地上，以他的信實為糧；
37:4又要以耶和華為樂，他就將你心裡所求的賜給你。
37:5當將你的事交託耶和華，並倚靠他，他就必成全。
37:6他要使你的公義如光發出，使你的公平明如正午。
37:7你當默然倚靠耶和華，耐性等候他；不要因那道路通達的和那惡謀成就的心懷不平。
詩篇46篇10節
46:10你們要休息，要知道我是神！我必在外邦中被尊崇，在遍地上也被尊崇。
箴言2章6節
2:6因為，耶和華賜人智慧；知識和聰明都由他口而出。
箴言3章13-15節
3:13得智慧，得聰明的，這人便為有福。
3:14因為得智慧勝過得銀子，其利益強如精金，
3:15比珍珠（或作：紅寶石）寶貴；你一切所喜愛的，都不足與比較。
箴言10章14-15節
10:14智慧人積存知識；愚妄人的口速致敗壞。
10:15富戶的財物是他的堅城；窮人的貧乏是他的敗壞。
反省與問題討論
- 每個人的狀況都不一樣，但你有多容易會進入沮喪時刻呢？在這種時候，你通常的反應是什麼？你會往哪裡尋求鼓勵呢？
- 描述一個你感到特別沮喪的時刻。當時的情況是什麼？你當時面臨的問題是如何解決的呢？
- 對於一個說：「我從不感到沮喪，我永遠不必處理沮喪的感覺」的人，你會有什麼回應呢？
- 當你讀到，我們應該在沮喪的時候尋求聖經及其應許，以獲得幫助和安慰時，你會有什麼想法呢？
FINDING ENCOURAGEMENT IN DISCOURAGING TIMES
By Rick Boxx
Being an optimist by nature, troubles must stack up very high before I begin to feel discouraged. Usually, I can find a bright side to any dark time. However, I had one of those weeks recently when my optimism was no match for the daunting challenges I was facing.
Our upcoming event was becoming overwhelming with one problem arising after another. We were experiencing some online communications and registration problems, and I learned of some customer issues that had to be resolved quickly if the conference were to be a success.
With my discouragement building, I did not know the solutions to the difficulties we were facing, but I did know one thing: I needed solitude. I decided to get away for a while by retreating to my automobile.
While riding in my car, I prayed and fervently asked God for direction and wisdom. I was desperate for answers, and despite my discouragement felt confident the Lord would provide the answers we needed. These moments of personal reflection reminded me of a passage in the Bible’s New Testament which says, “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” (James 1:2-3).
Joy was not the emotion I had been feeling, but pausing to remember and embrace that promise dramatically affected my attitude, as well as the approach I would take in addressing those seemingly insurmountable issues. My discouragement eased when I realized God had a purpose behind all these challenges. With this new sense of peace, I and those working with me were able to take a fresh look at problems we were dealing with and find satisfactory resolutions. God’s Word encouraged me during that time of great discouragement. It can do the same for you.
The Bible has much to say concerning our times of adversity and discouragement. Here are just a few of the simple but straight-forward assurances we can find in the Scriptures:
Trust that God knows what He is doing. During major problems, we might have trouble believing God has any idea what we are facing. However, the Bible assures us that He does know and understand. “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11).
Trust in God’s direction. One of the wonderful things of a walk of faith is the assurance that when we have made wrong decisions or have gone off course, God is able to redirect us. “Trust in the Lord with all year heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Trust in God’s wisdom. When we seek God and His wisdom, He can and will provide in many ways. The key is not only to ask, but also to trust that He will provide what we need and when we need it. “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6).
Copyright 2024, Unconventional Business Network. Adapted with permission from “UBN Integrity Moments”, a commentary on faith at work issues. UBN is a faith at work ministry serving the international small business community.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
- People are different, but how likely are you to experience times of discouragement? What is your typical reaction at such times – where do you turn for encouragement?
- Describe a time when you felt especially discouraged. What were the circumstances, and how did the problems you were confronting get resolved?
- How would you respond to someone who says, “I never get discouraged. I never have to deal with feelings of being depressed”?
- When you read that we should turn to the Bible and its promises for help and reassurance during discouraging times, what thoughts come to your mind?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages:
Psalm 37:1-7,25-34, 46:10; Proverbs 2:6, 3:13-15, 10:14-15; Matthew 6:25-34
Challenge For The Week
Do have someone, or a small group of people, with whom you can confide during difficult, discouraging times. If you do, make a point of calling or meeting with them this week, even if you are not dealing with any overwhelming problems. It is important to continue building relationships like that, rather than waiting until an emergency arises.
If you are in a CBMC group, such as a Connect 3 team, a Young Professionals group, or Trusted Advisors Forum, this can be an excellent setting for mutual encouragement.
Also, let someone know you are available when they find themselves feeling discouraged or disheartened.
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