為每一件事情感恩
By Robert J. Tamasy
傳統上，美國人會在每年11月第四個星期四舉辦感恩節慶祝活動。今年的感恩節是11月22日， 這是有史以來最早舉行的一次。這意味著兩件事: 第一、 今年的 「耶誕長假」已經到來，從感恩節到耶誕節，會有很長的一段國定假日。第二、正式的節日提醒我們感恩並且表達出來。
一般的人都會把注意力放在自己經歷過愉快的事物上，例如：擁有健康的身體、開心的活動：結婚、生孩子、找到新工作或升遷、搬進新家、付完帳單還有結餘等等。或許你還能想到更多在過去一年發生的好事和「祝福」，這些都值得我們感恩。
但是，我們如何面對那些「不好」的事呢？或許是商場或職場上遇到的挫折、金融鬥爭、健康上的挑戰、家庭內部的不和或類似的困難，又或者你或是你認識的人剛好過去的一年成為天災的受害者。我們要如何面對這些問題？又如何能在這樣的困難時期仍然「感恩」呢？
我們常常聽到人們疑惑說：「為什麼好人會發生壞事？」這其實是一個相關的問題，有數不清的的文章和書籍都探討過這個問題，但是簡單或陳詞濫調的回答都不能讓我們滿意。然而，對追隨耶穌基督的人而言，神從來都沒有教導我們說，只有遇到好事才感恩，反倒是要我們凡事謝恩。
在為即將來到的感恩節或是地方性的慶祝活動做準備的時候，你可以參考聖經中關於感恩的教導:
無論得時或不得時，都要感恩 。有時候，我們可能會想：「好吧，上帝，當我順利的時候，我會感謝你。但是你不能指望我在困難時，也能感恩！」在聖經中, 神沒有給我們這個選擇。「要常常喜樂，不住地禱告，凡事謝恩；因為這是 神在基督耶穌裏向你們所定的旨意。」(帖前 5章16-18節).
打開眼睛面對困難 。上帝為什麼要我們在掙扎的時候仍然感謝祂呢？因為如果我們誠實的面對自己的困難，絕大多數的時間，我們都能在個人、專業和靈性方面有很大成長。「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。但忍耐也當成功，使你們成全、完備，毫無缺欠。」 (雅各書 1章2-4節).
試煉能分辨信心的真假 。要證明自己有某些技術或能力，最好的方法就是用行動表現出來。同樣的道理，如果在困難的時候，我們能感謝神，甚至是感謝有這樣的困難，就真真實實地表現出我們對上帝的信心和信仰的真實性了。「因此，你們是大有喜樂；但如今，在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁，叫你們的信心既被試驗，就比那被火試驗仍然能壞的金子更顯寶貴，可以在耶穌基督顯現的時候得著稱讚、榮耀、尊貴。」 (彼前1章6-7節).
© 2018. Robert J. TamasyIt 是企業巔峰: 給今日職場從箴言而來永恆的智慧 一書的作者。也與導師之心的作者David A. Stoddard 合著Tufting Legacies。編輯多本著作包括Mike Landry. Bob的書: 透過苦難成長。Mike Landry. Bob的網站為www.bobtamasy-readywriterink.com, 他的雙週部落格為: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
反省與問題討論
一般說來，你對感恩節有甚麼看法？又或者你對「感恩」有甚麼看法？ 當你回顧過去的一年，在業務、工作、和個人生活的各方面所經歷的事，你是否覺得感恩？又或者有其他的感覺，請分享你的答案。 在你的生活中，你如何表達對神的感謝？包括祂過去在你生命中所成就的，以及現在正在做的？ 你認為為生活和工作中所遇到的困難感恩是合理的嗎？為什麼？
備註: 如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多和這個主題相關的英文，請參考:
詩篇34篇1-9節
34:1 我要時時稱頌耶和華；讚美他的話必常在我口中。
34:2 我的心必因耶和華誇耀；謙卑人聽見就要喜樂。
34:3 你們和我當稱耶和華為大，一同高舉他的名。
34:4 我曾尋求耶和華，他就應允我，救我脫離了一切的恐懼。
34:5 凡仰望他的，便有光榮；他們的臉必不蒙羞。
34:6 我這困苦人呼求，耶和華便垂聽，救我脫離一切患難。
34:7 耶和華的使者在敬畏他的人四圍安營，搭救他們。
34:8 你們要嘗嘗主恩的滋味，便知道他是美善；投靠他的人有福了！
34:9 耶和華的聖民哪，你們當敬畏他，因敬畏他的一無所缺。
以弗所書5章20節
5:20 凡事要奉我們主耶穌基督的名常常感謝父 神。
希伯來書12章11節
12:11 凡管教的事，當時不覺得快樂，反覺得愁苦；後來卻為那經練過的人結出平安的果子，就是義。
彼得前書4章12-13節
4:12 親愛的弟兄啊，有火煉的試驗臨到你們，不要以為奇怪（似乎是遭遇非常的事），
4:13 倒要歡喜；因為你們是與基督一同受苦，使你們在他榮耀顯現的時候，也可以歡喜快樂。
彼得前書5章10節
5:10 那賜諸般恩典的 神曾在基督裏召你們，得享他永遠的榮耀，等你們暫受苦難之後，必要親自成全你們，堅固你們，賜力量給你們。
GIVING THANKS – FOR EVERYTHING
By Robert J. Tamasy
Traditionally, the observance of Thanksgiving Day in the United States takes place on the fourth Thursday in November. That means this year it is being celebrated on Nov. 22, the earliest it is ever held. That means two things: the so-called “Christmas season,” which spans Thanksgiving to Christmas day, is at maximum length; and the formal holiday gives us a head start on considering those things for which we should feel and express our thanks.
Typically we tend to focus on the enjoyable things we have experienced – good health; happy events such as getting married, having a child, finding a new job or receiving a promotion, moving into a new home; being able to pay our bills and having some money left over. You can probably think of other positives about the past year, our “blessings.” They all deserve our expressions of thankfulness.
But what about those things we did not perceive as “good”: business or career setbacks, financial struggles, health challenges, discord within our families, or similar hardships? The past year has had natural disasters, and perhaps you or someone you know were victims of one of those. How are we to respond concerning those – how can we “give thanks” for difficult times like that?
We often hear people ask things like, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” And that is a very relevant question – one that countless articles and books have addressed. Simplistic answers and platitudes fail to supply satisfactory responses. And yet, for those of us who follow Jesus Christ, we find no admonition that suggests we limit times of thanksgiving only to pleasant experiences.
As we prepare for Thanksgiving Day later this week, or whenever a similar event is celebrated where you live, it might be useful to consider what the Bible teaches about the giving of thanks:
No exceptions. Sometimes we might be tempted to think, “Okay, God, I will be thankful when good things come my way. But do not expect me to be thankful for hardships!” In the Scriptures, God does not give that option. “Be joyful always…give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God”s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Take a hard look at difficult times. Why would God expect us to express thanks to Him even during times of struggle? Because if we consider them honestly, we can realize those are often the times we grow the most and develop, personally, professionally and spiritually. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
Trials separate the genuine from the counterfeit. One way we can prove we possess certain skills or abilities is to demonstrate them in action. In a similar way, how we respond to difficult times – including our willingness to be thankful for them – reveals the genuineness of our faith and trust in God. “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith – of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire – may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
© 2018. Robert J. Tamasy has written Business at Its Best: Timeless Wisdom from Proverbs for Today”s Workplace; Tufting Legacies; coauthored with David A. Stoddard, The Heart of Mentoring, and edited numerous other books, including Advancing Through Adversity by Mike Landry. Bob”s biweekly blog is: www.bobtamasy.blogspot.com.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
What are your general thoughts about Thanksgiving Day – or another similar event when a time for expressing thanks is observed? When you assess the past year, things you have experienced in your business, at work, and various areas of your personal life, do you feel thankful – or some other emotion? Explain your answer. How do you express thanks for what God has done – or is doing – in your life? Do you think it is reasonable to be expected to feel thankful for difficulties you encounter in life and work? Why or why not?
NOTE: If you have a Bible and would like to read more, consider the following passages: Psalm 34:1-9; Ephesians 5:20; Hebrews 12:11; 1 Peter 4:12-13, 5:10
