2. Manna issue 82 - When Suffering Comes 當患難來臨
Why we must suffer through
winter to get to spring.
為何我們一定要經過冬天受苦，才能到達春天
Adapted from a sermon by Hsing Yi Yao—Xin Zhuang, Taiwan
節錄自台灣新莊教會 姚信義傳道
INTRODUCTION 簡介
Suffering can confront us in many
different situations—when we are
faced with misfortunes, or pressure,
or an impasse in our life that seems
impossible to break through. At times
such as these, depression is never
far away, and we can barely muster
the strength to smile. We will ask
ourselves, “Why me? Why do I have
to face such sufferings?” And then we
will question God, “Why have You let
this happen to me?”
受苦會在許多不同的情況下，衝擊我們-
當我們面對了不幸，壓力，或是走在我們生活上死路之時，
讓人感覺起來就很難跨越。
當遇到像這些情況的時候，灰心沮喪的情況就已經不會離很遠了，
我們幾乎聚集一點力氣來微笑。
我們會問自已，"為什麼是我呢？
為何我一定要面這種苦難的情況呢？"
然後我們就會質疑神，
"為何你讓這種情況發生在我身上呢？"
Unfortunately, some of us never
find answers to these questions—
they become complaints that lead us
nowhere. We fail to face the problem
head on, to humbly examine ourselves
and allow God to reveal the truth to
us. Perhaps our suffering truly has a
purpose.
不幸的是，我們之中許多人從來沒有找到這些問題的答案-
他們開始發怨言-導致沒有任何結論，沒有任何進展。
我們不能正面來面對問題，謙卑下來檢討自已，
來讓神來向我們顯明祂的真理。
或許，我們受苦真的有其原因。
Winter in the holy land is a season
of severe cold and heavy, sometimes
violent, rainfall and snow. This is why
Jesus told His disciples that when the
great tribulation comes, they should
“pray that [their] flight may not be
in winter” (Mk 13:18). But the winter
quickly gives way to spring, and the
crops and vegetation begin to bud
and grow (Isa 55:10). It may seem as
though the winter months are a test
of endurance, but the combination of
rain, snow and time are necessary to
bring forth the fruit of the land.
聖地的冬季，是一個非常嚴寒的季節，
有時候非常的猛烈，下大雨，下大雪。
這就是為什麼，耶穌告訴祂的門徒，
18你們應當祈求，叫這些事不在冬天臨到。
(可 13：18)
但是冬天很快就迎來春天，殼物和菜蔬會開始發芽生長。
(賽 55：10)
這看起來就冬天就好像是一種忍耐的試驗，
但是混合了雨水，下雪，和一段時間，
是土地要茲長果子的必要條件。
Similarly, the trials and tribulations
we go through are like the bitterness
of winter, which seems bleak,
depressing, and fruitless. But, as
Christians, we must patiently endure
the harsh winter in order to see the
fruition of God’s work in us (Acts
14:22; Jas 1:2–4). And if we carefully
examine the cause of our suffering,
we will understand why we must
suffer—why the rains must fall—in
order for us to spiritually grow.
同樣的情況，我們經歷的試煉和苦難，就像冬天的苦楚，
讓它看起很荒涼，令人沮喪，毫無果實。
但是身為基督徒，我們就一定要耐心等候嚴酷的冬天，
就不了能看到神在我們身上所作之工的果子。
(徒 14：22；雅 1：2-4)
而且若我們能小心的檢視自已受苦的原因，
就會明白為什麼我們一定要受苦 -
為什麼一定要下雨 -
為的就是讓我們靈性可以成長。
WHERE DOES SUFFERING COME
FROM ?
苦難自何處而來？
The Bible tells us that suffering first
entered the world when man sinned
(Gen 3:17–19). God cursed the
ground, bringing forth thorns and
thistles, so that man would have to
labor and toil to survive.
聖經告訴我們，當人類犯罪之後，
苦難就進入了世界。
(創 3：17-19)
神詛咒土地，讓地上長出荊棘，
就因此人們就一定要勞苦才得存活。
When man sinned, he fell short
of the glory of God and lost the
image of God. He lost his father-son
relationship with God, and became
spiritually dead. And not only would
his life be full of toil, but it would
eventually end in physical death. This
is the fundamental source of human
anxiety, and the paradox of the
human condition: that the spectre of
death is present every moment of our
lives. We are haunted by the question,
Where will I go when I depart from
this world?
當人類犯罪之後，欠缺了神的榮耀，失去了神的形象。
而那些失去與神父子關係的人，就變得在靈性上死去。
不只他的生命充滿了勞苦，
而且最後它會導致靈性的死亡。
這也是人類會仇苦的最根本來源，
人類景況所出現的矛盾：死亡的權勢出現在我們生活中的每一刻。
我們就一直被一個問題所困擾住，
當我們離開這個世界的時候，我們將會跑到那裡去呢？
Every affliction we face in life, be
it physical sickness or work-related
stress, is directly or indirectly the
result of sin. More often than not, it is
a result of our own lusts and desires.
When Job experienced suffering,
Eliphaz the Temanite told him, “For
affliction does not come from the
dust, nor does trouble spring from the
ground; yet man is born to trouble, as
the sparks fly upward” (Job 5:6–7).
Eliphaz was telling Job that trouble
does not come from nowhere. He
believed that Job must have sinned
against God.
在生命中我們所面對每個苦難，
即是肉體上的病痛，或是職場上的工作壓力，
都直接或間接成為犯罪之後的結悲。
常常的情況是，這一切都是我們自已渴望和慾望的結果。
當約伯經歷苦難的時候，提幔人以利法告訴他，
6禍患原不是從土中出來；患難也不是從地裡發生。
7人生在世必遇患難，如同火星飛騰。
(伯 5：6-7)
那時以利法告訴約伯的事是，
患難不是平白無故出現的。
他相信，約伯一定有犯罪，得罪了神。
We Do Not Always Have to Sin to
Suffer
我們並不一定要犯罪來受苦
We later read that, much to God’s
displeasure, Eliphaz had misjudged
Job’s situation (Job 42:7). He correctly
stated that man suffers because of
sin, but it does not necessarily follow
that Job’s afflictions were a result of
his own sin. The Bible introduces Job
as an upright and blameless man—
there was no other like him in that
generation (Job 1:1, 8). It would be
difficult to argue that his suffering
was a punishment for sin. And yet, he
was struck with disaster and disease.
We are compelled to ask, “Why?”
後來我們就讀了，有很多讓神不高興的事，
以利法誤判了約伯所處的情況。
(約 42：7)
他很正確的說到，人們會受苦，是因為罪的原苦，
但這就不一定是約伯所面對的情況，
說約但的受苦是他自已犯罪的結果。
聖經這樣介紹著約伯，他是正直無可指摘的人-
在那個時代中，並沒有人可以像他一樣。
(伯 1：1，8)
要來論斷他受苦是犯罪的處罰，是很難的。
然而，他受到了災難和疾病的打擊。
我們自然就被逼而問，"到底是為什麼呢？"
In our life of faith, we may find
ourselves in a similar situation as Job.
After we are baptized, we may put
our heart into pursuing God’s word,
and grasp every opportunity to serve
God. In our daily lives, we may fear
God, manifest His image, and glorify
Jesus’ name in all that we do. But still,
we are not immune from experiencing
trials and tribulations—we will face
sickness, bereavement, financial
insecurity, family problems, and any
other affliction common to man. We
can even suffer for doing good (1 Pet
2:20). But we might find ourselves
asking, “What have I done to deserve
this? Am I not a good Christian?” Will
we begin to lose hope, as Job did,
when we are unable to see why God
is allowing us to suffer?
在我們的信仰生活中，或許會發現自已像約伯一樣，處於相同的情境中。
在我們受洗之後，我們或許會專心來追求神的話語，
抓住每一個機會來服事神。
在每日的生活中，我們或許會敬畏神，展示祂的形象，
在我們一切作所的事上，榮耀耶穌的名。
但是儘管如此，我們就不會因此而反疫，不會體會到試練和苦難 -
我們會面臨疾病，失去親人，經濟上有不安感，
家庭有問題，及任何其他人們所會面臨的問題。
我們甚至會因為行善的原故而受苦。
(彼前 2：20)
然後我們自已就會問了，
"我到底作了什麼事，才會遇到這樣的事嗎？
難道我不是一個好基督徒嗎？
當我們不能明白為什麼神讓我們受苦的時候，
我們會開始失去希望，就像約伯一樣？
Sufferings Can Come from God
受苦可以出自於神
If we want to understand why God
allows us to suffer, we must see things
from His perspective. What lesson
does God want me to learn from
this situation? To help us answer this
question, we must quieten our hearts
and seek God’s will from the Bible.
When we learn more about God, then
the anxieties at the back of our mind
— Will I recover from my illness? Will
I die? —will be replaced by a peacefilled
hope in the promise of God, in
His wisdom and His perfect will for us.
However, it is not always easy to
fathom what God wants us to gain
from our suffering. Eliphaz described
God’s indecipherable ways to Job:
若我們想要明白為何神讓我們受苦，就要從神的觀點來看事情。
到底從這些情況之中，神要給我們學什麼課程？
要讓我們明白這些問題，我們一定要平靜自已的內心，
從聖經裡面尋求神的旨意。
當我們對神了解更多，那麼在我們心思背後的那些憂慮 -
我能不能從生病中再恢復？我會不會死？
就會身處在神的應許，在祂的智慧，及祂對我們最好的旨意之中，
感到被一種充滿平靜的盼望所取代。
然而，總是沒有那麼容易可以看穿神要我們從苦難之中得到那些東西。
以利法向約伯述說神那無法解釋的道路：
“But as for me, I would seek God,
And to God I would commit my
cause—
Who does great things, and
unsearchable,
Marvelous things without number.
He gives rain on the earth,
And sends waters on the fields.
He sets on high those who are lowly,
And those who mourn are lifted to
safety.” (Job 5:8–11)
8至於我，我必仰望神，把我的事情託付他。
9他行大事不可測度，行奇事不可勝數：
10降雨在地上，賜水於田裡；
11將卑微的安置在高處，將哀痛的舉到穩妥之地；
(伯 5：8-11 )
This passage describes the
sovereignty of God, and His
prerogative to do whatever He
chooses. He does not need to seek
our approval or consult our opinions.
This is why it can be difficult for
us, with our limited intelligence, to
comprehend His will. So how should
we proceed?
這節經描寫神的主權及特權，祂可以作任何所選擇之事。
祂沒有要先尋先我們的同意，或是問問我們有什麼意見。
這就是為什麼，我們要以自已有限的智識來了解神的旨意是很困難的。
那麼我們要怎麼展開下一步呢？
THE NEED TO PONDER 有必要好好思考
In the Book of Ecclesiastes, the
Preacher tells us that in times of
suffering, we need to ponder (Eccl
7:14). But the way we ponder and
reflect is crucial. We might focus
solely on our own weaknesses, and
get trapped in an endless cycle of
repentance and imploring God for
His help. Or we might end up pitying
ourselves and complaining against
God, asking why He keeps adding to
our burdens. This is why it is crucial
to look at things from the correct
angle—not from our own point of
view, but from God’s point of view.
在傳道書中，傳道者告訴我們，
在受苦之中，我們要好好的思考。
(傳 7：14)
但是我們思考和反應的方式是很重要的。
我們或許會主要集中在自已的弱點，
在後悔及尋求神幫助的無盡循環之中，一直困在其中。
或者最後我們自憐自艾，開始抱怨神了，
就會問為何祂一直加添我們的負擔。
我就是為什麼，從正確的角度來看事情是很重要的 -
不是從我們自已的觀點，而是從神的觀點來看。
First, we should consider—humbly
and honestly—whether we have truly
sinned. Have I offended God in the
past week, or month, or year? Have
I committed any unrighteous deeds
or transgressed against God? This
winter-long period of suffering means
we may not be able to plough, plant
or cultivate as we would in spring, but
God has given us this time to reflect.
首先，我們應該謙卑誠實的思考 - 我們是不是真的犯罪了。
過去幾週，幾個月，幾年之中，有沒有得罪神？
我有沒有作什麼不義的行為，得罪了神？
這個冬天 - 長長受苦的時間之中，
代表了我們或許不能像春天作的事情一樣，可犁田，種植和培養，
但是神給我們這段時間來好好反省。
Next, we should take responsibility
for our own actions and our own
sin—do not question why others
seem to go unpunished. It can be
easy to blame others for our mistakes,
or even to blame God by lamenting
how unfair our situation is. But once
we accept our fault, we will begin
to understand why we are suffering
and what God wants us to do. And
when we go before God and lay the
burden of our sin down, we will—
almost miraculously—be brought into
His promised peace. Our suffering
may not end immediately, but we will
be able to find rest and wait out the
winter with hope.
接著，我們要為自已的行為和罪惡負責任-
不要質疑為何其他人看起來沒受處罰一點都沒事。
因自已的錯而責怪別人是容易的，
或是一直哀嘆自已遇到這樣的情況是如何的不公平，而責怪神是容易的。
但是一旦我自接受了自已的錯誤，
就會開始了解到，為何自已會受苦，到底神要我們作什麼。
並且當我們在行在神的面前，把自已罪的重擔放下之後，
我們幾乎就會很神奇地，被帶入祂應許的平靜之中。
我們的受苦或許不會立刻結束，
但我們會能夠得到安息，帶著盼望等到冬天結束。
Suffering Because of God’s
Chastisement
因為神的管教而受苦
The author of Hebrews tells us that
we ought to give thanks when we are
chastised by God through trials: “Now
no chastening seems to be joyful for
the present, but painful; nevertheless,
afterward it yields the peaceable fruit
of righteousness to those who have
been trained by it” (Heb 12:11). Just
as a father disciplines his son out of
love, our heavenly Father chastises us
so that we can partake in His holiness.
Although we must suffer for a time,
the benefits are everlasting (Heb
12:9–10).
希伯來書的作者告訴我們，
當我們因為試煉被神管教的時候，就應該感謝神：
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。
(來 12：11)
就像父親因著愛管教兒子，
我們的天父管教我們，這樣我們才能與祂的聖潔有份。
雖然我們要受苦一段時間，但是得到的益處卻是永存。
(來 12：9-10)
Chastisement is never pleasant, and
is often painful. But once we realize
that our suffering is a result of our
sin, then we should repent and return
to God. Then we will see the love
and grace of Jesus throughout our
suffering, and know that it was not
futile. If we confess our sins, God is
faithful, and will forgive and cleanse
us from all unrighteousness (1 Jn
1:9). As long as it is not a mortal sin
which leads to death, such as murder,
sexual immorality, etc., the blood of
Christ will cleanse us. This does not
mean that we can be baptized again,
but that, after baptism, the cleansing
power of Jesus’ blood is in effect
whenever we are willing to humble
ourselves and repent (Heb 7:24–25).
管教的時候，從來不會快樂，常常是很痛苦的。
但是我們一旦了解了，我們受苦是自已罪的後悲，
那麼我們就應該悔改，回到神身邊。
然後就會因為受苦而看到耶穌的愛和恩典，並且知道一切並不會白費。
若我們承認自已的罪，神是信實的，會繞恕我們，
把我們從一切的不義之中，清潔出來。
(約壹 1：9)
只要不是會導致死亡的大罪，例如謀殺，淫亂，等等，
基督的血就會潔淨我們。
我並不意謂著，我們可以再一次受洗，
而是受洗之後，
無論什麼時候，我們願意謙卑自已悔改的時候，
耶穌寶血的潔淨能力就會發揮功效。
(來 7：24-25)
Suffering to Manifest God’s Glory
受苦來展現神的榮耀
Although we sin (1 Jn 1:10), suffering
is not always a result of God’s
chastisement. In the Gospel of John, it
records the healing of a man who was
born blind (Jn 9:1–7). The disciples
asked Jesus, “Rabbi, who sinned,
this man or his parents, that he was
born blind?” (Jn 9:2). Jesus replied,
“Neither this man nor his parents
sinned, but that the works of God
should be revealed in him” (Jn 9:3).
雖然我們犯了罪，
(約壹 1：10)
但受苦不一定是神管教的結果。
在約翰福音裡面，記載了一個人得到醫治，
他是天生瞎眼的。
(約 9：1-7)
2門徒問耶穌說：拉比，這人生來是瞎眼的，是誰犯了罪？是這人呢？是他父母呢？
(約 9:2)
3耶穌回答說：也不是這人犯了罪，也不是他父母犯了罪，是要在他身上顯出神的作為來。
(約 9：3)
Sometimes we suffer trials and
tribulations so that the glory of
God can be manifested in us. When
a believer has victory over illness
through faith—either being healed or
being able to accept his condition—
those who hear his testimony and
witness his inner peace are led to
the Lord. Besides, since trials are
from God, who are we to complain?
Instead, we should ponder what God
wants us to achieve through the trials
we are facing, or what we can bring
to God at the end of the day.
有時候，我們受到試煉和苦難，
這樣一來，神的榮耀才會在我們身上展現。
當信徒因著信心可以勝過疾病的情況 -
不是得到醫治，就是接受他自已的情況 -
那些聽到他見証的人，見証了他內心的平情，就被引到神的面前。
此外，若試煉是來自於神，我們是誰怎可抱怨呢？
相反地，我們應該好好想想，
透過我們面對的試煉，神到底要我們成就什麼事呢？
在試煉結束最後一天的時候，我們可以拿什麼東西給神呢？
When suffering comes, not only
should we seek to understand why
we are experiencing it, we should
face it with courage. We should not
run away from it or complain about
the situation. Although we might not
be able to understand the will of God
when we are in the midst of suffering,
we are able to face it because we have
faith in God.
當苦難來到的時候，
我們不只要尋求明白，為何我們會經歷到這些情況，
我們用勇氣來面對它。
我們不該跑走，或是一直抱怨這種情況。
雖然我們在受苦中間，或許不能了解神的旨意，
因為我們對神有信心，就能夠好好的面對。
Just like Job said, at the end of his
ordeal:
就像約伯在磨練結束時，所說的話：
“I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be
withheld from You.
You asked, ‘Who is this who hides
counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did
not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I
did not know.
Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said, ‘I will question you, and
you shall answer Me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing
of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:2–6)
2我知道，你萬事都能做；你的旨意不能攔阻。
3誰用無知的言語使你的旨意隱藏呢？我所說的是我不明白的；這些事太奇妙，是我不知道的。
4求你聽我，我要說話；我問你，求你指示我。
5我從前風聞有你，現在親眼看見你。
6因此我厭惡自己（或譯：我的言語），在塵土和爐灰中懊悔。
(伯 42：2-6)
Because of the sufferings he
endured, Job was finally able to see
God with his own eyes, and gained a
renewed understanding of God and
his own lowliness. Afterwards, God
restored Job’s losses and blessed him
even more.
因為約伯忍受了苦難，最後他才可以用自已的眼睛看見神，
對神得到全新的了解，及明白了自已卑微。
後來，神彌補了約伯的損失，甚至祝福他更多。
Suffering for Christ 為主受苦
Suffering is part of the human
experience. But for Christians,
we know that we do not suffer
without reason—whether we are
being chastened for sinning, being
perfected through trials, or bringing
glory to God. Apostle Paul comforted
the church in Thessalonica because
they had endured many trials since
believing in Christ. He wrote:
受苦的人體驗的一部份。
但是對基督徒而言，我們明白自已受苦並不是沒有原因的 -
無論我們是因為犯罪而受苦，
經由試煉可以變得更加完美，並且榮耀神。
使徒保羅安慰在帖撒羅尼迦的教會，
因為他們自從相信基督之後，已經忍耐了許多試煉。
他寫到：
We sent Timothy to you comfort you
so that no one should be shaken by
these afflictions; for you yourselves
know that we are appointed to this.
For, in fact, we told you before
when we were with you that we
would suffer tribulation, just as it
happened, and you know.
(1 Thess 3:3–4)
我們派提摩太去安慰你們，
3免得有人被諸般患難搖動。因為你們自己知道我們受患難原是命定的。
4我們在你們那裡的時候，預先告訴你們，我們必受患難，以後果然應驗了，你們也知道。
(帖前 3：3-4)
Despite being persecuted for
believing in Christ, the Thessalonica
members did not abandon their
beliefs. They understood that anyone
who chose to believe in the Lord must
suffer in this way. Paul reminded them
that suffering is part and parcel of
discipleship, so they should comfort
one another and wait on the Lord.
In fact, those who suffer wrongfully
for the sake of righteousness will be
commended and blessed by God (1
Pet 2:19–20; 3:14).
雖然因為相信基督受到逼迫，
帖撒羅尼迦的信徒並沒有放棄他們的信仰。
他們知道，任何選擇要信主的人，
一定會在這條路上受苦。
保羅提醒他們，受苦是身為門徒身份的一部份，
也是信仰所附帶的小包裏，
所以他們要互相安慰，等候神。
事實上，那些因為公義的原故，而被不公平的虐待的人，
就會為神所讚美和祝福。
(彼前 2：19-20；3：14)
Jesus said, “These things I have
spoken to you, that in Me you may
have peace. In the world you will
have tribulation; but be of good
cheer, I have overcome the world” (Jn
16:33). The people of the world will
face sufferings, but they will not have
the peace that faith in Jesus brings.
耶穌說，
33約我將這些事告訴你們，是要叫你們在我裡面有平安。
在世上，你們有苦難；但你們可以放心，我已經勝了世界。
(約 16：33)
CONCLUSION 結論
There will be times when sufferings
come upon us, like the winter rain
and snow. It may seem that we suffer
for no reason, causing us to grumble.
But God has His purpose for putting
us through this harsh winter period—
He hopes for us to realize our sin and
repent, to become more perfect, and
to bring glory to His name, yielding
“the peaceable fruit of righteousness”
(Heb 12:11).
總會有些時候，苦難會臨到我們，
就像冬天的下雨和下雪。
或許看起來，我們就無原無故而受苦，
會讓我們發出怨言。
但是神其目的，讓我們經歷這嚴寒的冬期-
祂希望我們了解自已的罪而悔改，
可以變得越加完美，並且榮耀祂的名，
結出"公義平安的果子"。
(來 12：11)
If we tackle our situation head
on and ponder on the cause of our
sufferings, then we will find that the
springtime of spiritual revival will soon
arrive. Even if we are facing the worstcase
scenario of impending death, we
can face it without fear.
May the Lord grant us such faith,
so that when we meet with life
challenges, we can remain in the Lord
Jesus and endure our sufferings with
an inner peace, knowing that after
winter comes the beauty of spring.
若我們抓住機會正面來處理自已的情況，
好好想想我們受苦的原因，
那麼我們就會發現，
靈性復興的春天，將很快就會來到。
甚至即使我們面對了最糟最慘的情況，面即將來到的死亡，
我們可以沒有恐懼的來面對。
願神保守我們有這樣的信心，
以便當我們在生活中面對挑戰的時候，
我們可以保守在主耶穌裡面，
用內心的平靜來忍受自已的苦難，
會明白在冬天來臨之後，就會有春天的美好。
小頁 markvmax@hotmail.com
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Manna 嗎哪 56 (1)