1 Samuel 30:3-4, 6 (NKJV) So David and his men came to the city, and there it was, burned with fire; and their wives, their sons, and their daughters had been taken captive. Then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep.… Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God.
In this passage, David and his men faced a crisis when they returned from battle to find that their homes had been destroyed and their spouses and children had been taken captive. They lifted up their voices and wept. We need to understand that it is good for us to release our emotions through weeping and wailing because that is part of our emotional makeup, and it is a good relief valve that God has designed for us.
Different people may react differently to a crisis, but it is wrong when we turn irrational, or violent by inflicting self-harm or venting at others through verbal or physical abuse. David’s men started to complain, murmur, and blame their leader for their grief and pain to the point of wanting to stone David. Divide and conquer is a common tactic of the enemy. Therefore, we also need to watch our attitude and spirit, especially when we are going through a crisis, to ensure that we don’t complain and entertain unnecessary disputes with the wrong party.
Philippians 2:14 (NKJV) Do all things without complaining and disputing.
The most common initial reaction to a bad situation is to justify our complaints and utter dissatisfaction, but what we don’t realise is that by repeating these murmurs and complaints, we are building negative vibes in our hearts because there is tremendous power in our words or any form of words. Therefore, gathering for a pity party with others does not help, because our mood is affected and our emotions are stirred up when we complain and go into a dispute over an issue. We might even slip into depression unknowingly if we dwell excessively on the negatives, the injustice, and the people who wronged us. Slowly but surely, our countenance and our mood will change, and it will start to affect every aspect of our lives. If we are journeying with others, we should rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep, but refuse to participate in pity parties.
David had the right attitude and relationship with God. This was shown in his response to the crisis. David didn’t blame God, nor was he bitter. He knew that God was not the source of his crisis. The conviction that God is good and not the source of our tribulations is key in helping us through emotional turmoil. Like David, we can overcome by drawing strength from God.
Sermon Series: UP! CG Campaign 2023 (Part 1)
责备的游戏
撒母耳记上30:3-4, 6：“大卫和跟随他的人到了那城，不料，城已烧毁，他们的妻子儿女都被掳去了。 大卫和跟随他的人就放声大哭，直哭得没有气力。…… 大卫甚是焦急，因众人为自己的儿女苦恼，说：“要用石头打死他。” 大卫却倚靠耶和华－他的神，心里坚固。”
在这段经文中，大卫和他的部下面临了一场危机，当他们从战场上回来时，发现他们的家园已经被摧毁，他们的妻子儿女都被掳去了。他们就放声大哭。我们需要理解，通过哭泣和哀号来释放情绪是好的，因为这是我们情感构造的一部分，也是上帝为我们设计的一种很好的泄压阀。
不同的人对危机的反应可能不同，但当我们变得不理智，或暴力的自残，用言语或肢体虐待他人来宣泄时，那就是错误的。大卫的部下开始抱怨和议论，并因他们为自己的儿女苦恼而想要用石头打死大卫。分而治之是敌人常用的战术。因此，我们需要注意我们的态度和灵，尤其在经历危机时，以确保我们不会抱怨和与错的一方产生不必要的纠纷。
腓立比书2:14凡所行的，都不要发怨言，起争论，
面对糟糕的情况，最常见的第一反应是为我们的抱怨辩护和表示不满，但我们没有意识到的是，通过重复这些议论和抱怨，我们正在内心建立起负面情绪，因为我们的言语或任何形式的言辞都带有巨大的能力。因此，和别人聚在一起自艾自怜并不会有所帮助，因为当我们抱怨和争论一个问题时，我们的情绪会受到影响。如果我们过度沉湎于负面、不公和那些冤枉我们的人，我们甚至可能在不知不觉中陷入抑郁。慢慢地，我们的面容和情绪会改变，开始影响我们生活的方方面面。如果我们与他人同行，我们与喜乐的人要同乐，与哀哭的人要同哭，但不要参与自艾自怜。
大卫有正确的态度和与上帝有正确的关系。这一点在他对危机的回应中得到了体现。大卫既不归咎于上帝，也不心存怨恨。他知道上帝不是他危机的根源。相信上帝是良善的而不是我们苦难的根源，对帮助我们度过情感风暴至关重要。像大卫一样，我们可以通过从上帝那里支取力量来克服危机。
讲章系列：天天向上! 细胞小组活动 2023 (第1部分）
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