Romans 5:3-4(AMP) And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation].
The Apostle Paul talks about suffering for the sake of righteousness as a Christian. There is bound to be persecution for living a life that’s different from that of the world. We are called to be the salt and light of the world and our presence can shine a light into the darkness to reveal what is evil, sinful and bad. We are blessed if we suffer, or are persecuted for the sake of righteousness. However, when the Apostle Paul spoke about suffering in the passage above, it also includes distress, pressure and trouble that can come upon us.
Even when we are living out a consecrated and sanctified life, we may still be faced with challenges. But when we know God, the knowledge of His love and His covenantal relationship with us will help us withstand the pressures of life and stay resilient.
Pressure can also arise from adversity and tribulation due to wrong decisions that we make in the flesh without consulting God. In such situations, we need to humble ourselves, seek His forgiveness and ask Him to direct our steps, allowing Him to walk us out of our crisis. We also need God’s wisdom in discerning between situations which we can change and those which we cannot.
Hebrews 13:5 (NKJV) Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Philippians 4:19(NKJV) And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
If we are facing financial difficulties or cash flow problems and feel as though we are constantly being beaten down, then we need to take time to meditate on what it means to know God, His love and the peace that we have with Him. These are important foundations that can help us stay resilient when confronted with bad news or stress.
One must not anxiously try to recover every penny lost in an investment, like a gambler who shows his hand, betting away all his money in a last-ditch attempt to recoup losses. If we see ourselves being driven by similar desperation, it may be that we are being led by covetousness and we will not be able to think rationally or clearly through our situation. The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil (1 Timothy 6:10, NKJV), it is destructive and will cause us to stumble and fall and possibly affect our recovery. On the contrary, godliness with contentment is great gain and will prevent us from making irrational and foolish decisions that hinder resilience in the midst of financial difficulties.
Sermon Series: Resilience (Part 4)
让我们在患难中保持乐观
罗马书5:3-4不但如此，就是在患难（压力，苦恼，麻烦）中也是欢欢喜喜的。因为知道患难生忍耐，忍耐生老练（属灵的成熟），老练生盼望（永恒的救恩），
使徒保罗谈到作为一个基督徒为义受苦。要过与世界不同的生活，可能会面临逼迫。当我们做世界的光和盐的时候，就像是在黑暗中点亮一盏灯来揭示邪恶是什么，罪恶是什么，坏是什么。如果你为义受逼迫，你绝对是蒙福的。当然使徒保罗在上面经文中谈到受苦的问题，所指的还有临到我们的苦恼，压力和麻烦。
即使我们过着分别为圣和圣洁的生活，我们仍可能面临挑战。但是，当我们认识神时，了解祂的爱以及祂与我们的盟约关系将帮助我们承受生活的压力并保持韧性。
当我们不寻求神的心意靠肉体做出错误决定的时候，也会面对逆境和苦难。我们要谦卑回到神的面前，寻求祂的赦免，带领我们的脚步，让祂与我们同行走出危机。我们也需要神的智慧来辨别我们可以改变的和我们不能改变的情况。
希伯来书13:5你们存心不可贪爱钱财，要以自己所有的为足。因为主曾说：“我总不撇下你，也不丢弃你。”
腓立比书4:19我的神必照他荣耀的丰富，在基督耶稣里使你们一切所需用的都充足。
如果我们面临财务困境，或公司的现金流问题并且我们感觉自己一直在被生活打击，那么我们需要花时间默想，认识神，明白神的爱，神的平安意味着什么。这些都是帮助我们在面对压力和坏消息的时候可以反弹的重要的根基。
不应期待要把投资输掉的每一分钱都捞回来，就像去赌徒将筹码全部押上，孤注一掷希望挽回损失。如果我们被这样的不顾一切的态度驱使，就会非常不理性，不能清晰地看清自己的处境，因为是贪婪在驱动着我们。贪财是万恶之源。(提摩西前书 6:10) 这是带有破坏性的，会让我们跌得更快更惨，还可能影响我们的元气恢复。与之相反，敬虔加上知足对我们大有益处，会拦阻我们，使我们更理性，不做出愚昧的决定，在遇到财务危机的时候可以反弹。
讲章系列：韧性 （第4部分）
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