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「我們受患難呢，是為叫你們得安慰....這安慰能叫你們忍受我們所受的那樣苦楚。我們為你們所存的盼望是確定的。因為知道你們既是同受苦楚，也必同得安慰。」（哥林多後書一章6/7節）
在你四周有沒有什麼人是特別會幫助你，你在試煉中、憂傷中，特別會去向他尋求安慰呢？這個人每次所說的話，都能幫助你，合你的需要。
你知道他是會幫助你，但是你知不知道他為何會如此呢？他這樣會包紮人的傷口、擦乾人的眼淚絕非偶然的事，乃是曾出了重大代價的。如果你去查閱他以往的歷史，你就會發現他曾受過多少苦難。他曾親見他喜樂的金碗被摔在地；他曾站在怒潮旁邊、烈日之下；但是這一切都是他成為褓姆、醫士，所必需經歷的。苦難固然難忍受；可是底下卻隱藏著寶貴的教導：教導我們怎樣幫助別人。
所以信徒啊，你不要動怒，你不要咬牙；你只要看見這是訓練你成為一個安慰使者的；因此你當甘甘心心在神的旨意裡面忍受。── 選
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“If I am in distress, it is in the interests of your comfort, which is effective as it nerves you to endure the same sufferings as I suffered myself. Hence my hope for you is well-founded, since I know that as you share the sufferings you share the comfort also.” (2 Cor. 1:6-7).
Are there not some in your circle to whom you naturally betake yourself in times of trial and sorrow? They always seem to speak the right word, to give the very counsel you are longing for; you do not realize, however, the cost which they had to pay ere they became so skillful in binding up the gaping wounds and drying tears. But if you were to investigate their past history you would find that they have suffered more than most. They have watched the slow untwisting of some silver cord on which the lamp of life hung. They have seen the golden bowl of joy dashed to their feet, and its contents spilt. They have stood by ebbing tides, and drooping gourds, and noon sunsets; but all this has been necessary to make them the nurses, the physicians, the priests of men. The boxes that come from foreign climes are clumsy enough; but they contain spices which scent the air with the fragrance of the orient. So suffering is rough and hard to bear; but it hides beneath it discipline, education, possibilities, which not only leave us nobler, but perfect us to help others. Do not fret, or set your teeth, or wait doggedly for the suffering to pass; but get out of it all you can, both for yourself and for your service to your generation, according to the will of God. --- Selected
Once I heard a song of sweetness, As it cleft the morning air, Sounding in its blest completeness, Like a tender, pleading prayer; And I sought to find the singer, Whence the wondrous song was borne; And I found a bird, sore wounded, Pinioned by a cruel thorn.
I have seen a soul in sadness, While its wings with pain were furl'd, Giving hope, and cheer and gladness That should bless a weeping world And I knew that life of sweetness, Was of pain and sorrow borne, And a stricken soul was singing, With its heart against a thorn.
Ye are told of One who loved you, Of a Savior crucified, Ye are told of nails that pinioned, And a spear that pierced His side; Ye are told of cruel scourging, Of a Savior bearing scorn, And He died for your salvation, With His brow against a thorn.
Ye "are not above the Master." Will you breathe a sweet refrain? And His grace will be sufficient, When your heart is pierced with pain. Will you live to bless His loved ones, Tho' your life be bruised and torn, Like the bird that sang so sweetly, With its heart against a thorn?
--- Selected
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