面對生命中的風暴
By Jim Langley
與颶風，龍捲風和海嘯相比，我們個人在生活和工作中遇到的風暴似乎是微不足道。我們可以重建或重新安排像大自然的風暴對我們造成的傷害，但我們內在的傷害被證明比自然傷害更加難以修復。
當我從惡名昭彰的越戰服役18個月回國之後，沒有人真正了解這場戰爭對因為愛國而參戰的人所造成的影響有多深。然而這些年來，因著兩段失敗的婚姻及許多內心的掙扎，我開始意識到某些事情導致了這種內心的不安定!但讓我們從更廣泛的意義上看待生命中風暴。
在我們生命的各個階段，遇到了許多類型的風暴。例如失去工作，失去業務，失控的債務，糟糕的投資以及可能性的破產。也有關係中的風暴，例如:毫無根據的謠言和惡意傳播的謊言，失去友誼、面對指責、不忠的關係、甚至離婚。我們也將面臨無數健康風暴，最終我們都將面臨死亡。
使徒保羅明白生命中會經歷的風暴。在提摩太後書3章10-11節中，他告訴他的門徒提摩太:「但你已經服從了我的教訓、品行、志向、信心、寬容、愛心、忍耐，以及我在安提阿、以哥念、路司得所遭遇的逼迫、苦難。我所忍受是何等的逼迫；但從這一切苦難中，主都把我救出來了。」希伯來書的作者指示，「仰望為我們信心創始成終的耶穌（或譯：仰望那將真道創始成終的耶穌）。他因那擺在前面的喜樂，就輕看羞辱，忍受了十字架的苦難，便坐在 神寶座的右邊。」（希伯來書12章2節）。
我們不能依靠個人策略指導來面對所有的危險。只有我們的天父知道我們即將面臨的風暴。我們無法知道這些風暴何時或如何來臨，好消息是我們不需要單獨經歷風暴。在希伯來書10章25節中，我們被提醒「你們不可停止聚會，好像那些停止慣了的人，倒要彼此勸勉，既知道（原文是看見）那日子臨近，就更當如此。」 生活在艱難時期，我們明智的做法是不依靠自己。
在暴風雨期間，當我們周圍的一切變成無法控制的混亂時，我們還能在轉向誰？對我而言，我的注意力轉向我的保惠師。上帝的聖靈，會引導我渡過將面對的高山和低谷。上帝應許我們:「你們存心不可貪愛錢財，要以自己所有的為足；因為主曾說：「我總不撇下你，也不丟棄你。」」（希伯來書13章5節）。
在詩篇23篇4節中，大衛王宣稱：「我雖然行過死蔭的幽谷，也不怕遭害，因為你與我同在；你的杖，你的竿，都安慰我。」我發現這些話能安慰我在即將面對的生命的風暴。我發現這種安慰和保證不是基於一廂情願的想法，而是基於上帝的信實和可靠性。
耶穌在約翰福音16章32-33節中預言說：「看哪，時候將到，且是已經到了，你們要分散，各歸自己的地方去，留下我獨自一人；其實我不是獨自一人，因為有父與我同在。我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裏面有平安。在世上，你們有苦難；但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。」
我們這些認識耶穌基督的人具有堅定不移地保證，我們並不孤單，無論我們是在工作，在我們的家中，上帝供應超越所有人可以理解的平安，因為上帝的靈住在我們裡面。
Jim Langley從事人壽健康保險業已經超過30年了。最近幾年，他熱心於將自己與神的關係書寫出來，目的是要鼓勵其他人更加親近神。他也是CBMC的長期會員，在2014年時，他開始寫作「四分衛策略」(Fourth Quarter Strategies)。
反省與問題討論
有人說，你現在若非處於生活的風暴之中，就是剛從其中一個脫困出來，或者正準備通過一個。上述哪個情況描述了你現在的生活？ 遇到生活中的逆境時，你通常是如何回應？ 我們可以從經歷過生活中的掙扎和”暴風雨”中獲得什麼好處？ 當你的生活風暴似乎勢不可擋時，你能轉向誰?甚至是超過你能忍受的風暴？你在這個時候依靠神或人?你學到了什麼?無論是依靠上帝還是其他人？
備註：如果你手上有聖經，希望閱讀更多關於這個主題的經文，請參考：
約伯記38章1-7節
8:1 那時，耶和華從旋風中回答約伯說：
38:2 誰用無知的言語使我的旨意暗昧不明？
38:3 你要如勇士束腰；我問你，你可以指示我。
38:4 我立大地根基的時候，你在哪裏呢？你若有聰明，只管說吧！
38:5 你若曉得就說，是誰定地的尺度？是誰把準繩拉在其上？
38:6 地的根基安置在何處？地的角石是誰安放的？
38:7 那時，晨星一同歌唱； 神的眾子也都歡呼。
詩篇22篇25-28節
22:25 我在大會中讚美你的話是從你而來的；我要在敬畏耶和華的人面前還我的願。
22:26 謙卑的人必吃得飽足；尋求耶和華的人必讚美他。願你們的心永遠活著！
22:27 地的四極都要想念耶和華，並且歸順他；列國的萬族都要在你面前敬拜。
22:28 因為國權是耶和華的；他是管理萬國的。
路加福音 8章22-25節
8:22 有一天，耶穌和門徒上了船，對門徒說：「我們可以渡到湖那邊去。」他們就開了船。
8:23 正行的時候，耶穌睡著了。湖上忽然起了暴風，船將滿了水，甚是危險。
8:24 門徒來叫醒了他，說：「夫子！夫子！我們喪命啦！」耶穌醒了，斥責那狂風大浪；風浪就止住，平靜了。
8:25 耶穌對他們說：「你們的信心在哪裏呢？」他們又懼怕又希奇，彼此說：「這到底是誰？他吩咐風和水，連風和水也聽從他了。」
腓立比書4章6-7節
4:6 應當一無掛慮，只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求，和感謝，將你們所要的告訴 神。
4:7 神所賜、出人意外的平安必在基督耶穌裏保守你們的心懷意念。
雅各書4章7-10節
4:7 故此，你們要順服 神。務要抵擋魔鬼，魔鬼就必離開你們逃跑了。
4:8 你們親近 神， 神就必親近你們。有罪的人哪，要潔淨你們的手！心懷二意的人哪，要清潔你們的心！
4:9 你們要愁苦、悲哀、哭泣，將喜笑變作悲哀，歡樂變作愁悶。
彼得前書3章13-17節
3:13 你們若是熱心行善，有誰害你們呢？
3:14 你們就是為義受苦，也是有福的。不要怕人的威嚇（的威嚇：或譯所怕的），也不要驚慌；
3:15 只要心裏尊主基督為聖。有人問你們心中盼望的緣由，就要常作準備，以溫柔、敬畏的心回答各人；
3:16 存著無虧的良心，叫你們在何事上被毀謗，就在何事上可以叫那誣賴你們在基督裏有好品行的人自覺羞愧。
3:17 神的旨意若是叫你們因行善受苦，總強如因行惡受苦。
CONFRONTING THE STORMS OF LIFE
By Jim Langley
Storms we experience in our personal and business life may seem inconsequential, especially if compared to hurricanes, tornadoes and tsunamis. However, like storms of nature, they can also cause irreparable damage in our lives. We can rebuild or relocate from natural disasters; internal storms we face may prove to be much more difficult to repair.
When I returned from Vietnam, after serving 18 months in that infamous conflict, no one had any real idea of the effect the war had taken on those who patriotically served. Over the years, I have gained a better understanding of the impact that period had on me personally. After two failed marriages and other struggles, I began to realize something was causing such inner instability. But let”s look at the storms of life in a broader sense.
We encounter many types of storms during various stages of our lives. There will be financial storms, such as losing a job, the loss of a business, out-of-control debt, bad investments, and possibly bankruptcy. There will be relational storms, such as unfounded rumors and outright lies spread maliciously, loss of friendships, accusations, infidelity, and perhaps divorce. We also will face health storms too numerous to mention, and eventually we will all have to face death.
The apostle Paul understood the storms of life; he had experienced many of them. In 2 Timothy 3:10-11, he tells his protégé, Timothy ,“You, however, know about all my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings – what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.” The writer of Hebrews instructs, “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
We cannot depend on a personal strategist to forewarn us of all the dangers that may lie ahead. Only our Heavenly Father knows our future storms, and we cannot know when or how these storms will come. The good news is we need not go through the storms alone. In Hebrews 10:25 we are reminded “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Living in tenuous times, we would be wise not to try going it on our own.
Where else can we turn during stormy times, when everything around us turns into uncontrolled chaos? For me, my attention turns to my Comforter, the Holy Spirit of God, the One I truly want to lead me through the valley experiences I will face. We have God”s promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
In Psalm 23:4 King David proclaims, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” I find those words consoling as I anticipate the future storms that I know will come. This comfort and assurance I find is not based on wishful thinking, but on God”s faithfulness and reliability.
Jesus prophesied in John 16:32-33, “But a time is coming, and has come, when you will be scattered, each to his own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me. I have told you these things so you might have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
Those of us who know Jesus Christ personally have unwavering assurance that we are not alone, since God”s Spirit dwells in us and provides the peace that transcends all understanding, whether we”re at work, in our homes, or even as we travel. It is never too late to turn to Jesus. If you do not know Him, He awaits your plea for help.
Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as an insurance agent. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God. His goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. A long-time member of CBMC, he started writing “Fourth Quarter Strategies” in 2014.
Reflection/Discussion Questions
Someone has said, “You are either in a storm of life now, have just come out of one, or are getting ready to go through one.” Which describes your life right now? How do you typically respond when confronted with adversity in life? What benefit, if any, can we derive from going through struggles and “storms” in our lives? Who can you turn to when your life”s storms seem overwhelming, maybe even more than you can bear? What have you learned about relying on the support of others at such times, whether it”s God or other people?
NOTE: If you want to review other verses that relate to this topic, consider the following passages: Job 38:1-7; Psalm 22:25-28; Luke 8:22-25; Philippians 4:6-7; James 4:7-10; 1 Peter 3:13-17
