软弱中的大能
人们常常小声议论精神疾病，还伴随着“请不要告诉任何人”这样的要求。然而，根据世界卫生组织2018年的一份报告估计，每四个人中就有一个人患有精神健康问题。
我的家人亲身体验过抑郁症的痛苦，那是我妈妈很大一部份生活中的“肉中刺”。这对她来说很不容易，和她生活在一起也常常令人心碎。在她的追悼会上，我父亲述说了神恩典的大能，这在他们60年的婚姻里，这是显而易见的。
保罗写到他的“刺”，尽管他恳求神去掉这根刺，但很明显，这根刺还是令他很痛苦，而且是持久的痛苦。尽管有这样的重担，保罗仍然被祝福，有大有能力的事奉和丰富的产业。跟随基督的人并不能免除苦难，但神应许，祂完全的能力足以带领我们走过苦难。
这是我父亲陪我母亲走过她许多健康危机和情绪起伏的见证。每当他们走到尽头，神复活的大能会给他们力量再走下一步——直到她走不动了，神满有慈爱地把她带回了家，嘴里说着“哈利路亚”。
当我们软弱时，神的大能显明。
主啊，我是软弱的，但你是刚强的。帮助我不要惧怕软弱，而是倚靠你这恩典和能力的泉源。我时刻需要你。阿们。
哥林多后书 12:7b-10
7又恐怕我因所得的启示甚大，就过于自高，所以有一根刺加在我肉体上，就是撒旦的差役要攻击我，免得我过于自高。
8为这事，我三次求过主，叫这刺离开我。
9他对我说：“我的恩典够你用的，因为我的能力是在人的软弱上显得完全。”所以，我更喜欢夸自己的软弱，好叫基督的能力覆庇我。
10我为基督的缘故，就以软弱、凌辱、急难、逼迫、困苦为可喜乐的，因我什么时候软弱，什么时候就刚强了。
Powerful Weaklings
"He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'" — 2 Corinthians 12:9
Mental illness is often discussed in hushed tones, along with the request “Please don’t tell anyone.” Yet an estimated one in four people suffers from a mental health issue, according to a 2018 World Health Organization report.
My family knows firsthand the struggle of depression, as it was my mother’s “thorn in the flesh” for much of her life. This was not easy for her, and it was often heartbreaking to live with her. At her memorial service, my father preached on the power of God’s grace that was evident in their 60-year marriage.
Paul writes of his “thorn” that was obviously painful and permanent, even though he pleaded with God to take it away. In spite of this burden, Paul was still blessed with a powerful ministry and a rich legacy. Christ-followers are not exempt from suffering, but God promises that his perfect power is more than sufficient to carry us through.
This was my father’s testimony as he walked with my mom through her many health crises and rollercoasters of emotions. When they were at the end of their ropes, the resurrection power of God gave them strength to take yet another step—until she no longer could, and then God lovingly took her home with “Hallelujah” on her lips.
When we are weak, God shows up in full force.
Lord, I am weak, but you are strong. Help me not to fear weakness but instead to lean into you as my source of power and grace. I need you every hour. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
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