基督徒有时候会好心办坏事。在试图安慰那些因失去亲人而悲痛的人时，我们会说一些诸如“神有祂的计划”，“她现在在一个更好的地方了”，或者“他歇了劳苦”之类的陈词滥调。这些都对，但或许，我们应该简单地效仿圣灵那“说不出来的叹息”，给对方一个拥抱，并持续地为他祷告。
我们在世上的苦难越深，就越渴望与基督在天上相聚，脱离疾病和悲伤折磨的那一天。
在这段经文中，使徒保罗试图以今天够用的力量和将来的美好愿景来鼓励神的子民。他告诉我们，在所有的事情上，神都是为了我们最终的好处和祂的旨意。这并不是说所有事情本质上都是好的，而是说神会救赎我们的痛苦，赐福于我们。
我的叔叔里昂在失去他们两个儿子时引用了罗马书8:28，两个儿子在成年早期就去世了，而这段经文安慰了他和妻子雪莉。流过眼泪，带着破碎的心，他仍然表达了对神的信心，相信神会使用他的伤疤去祝福那些有类似境况的人们。这句经文不是陈词滥调，它是基于神永恒之爱的应许。
主啊，在我们深切的困苦和极度的悲痛中，愿你的圣灵开始医治我们的心，将我们的眼泪转化为最终的益处。阿们。
罗马书 8:18-30
18我想，现在的苦楚若比起将来要显于我们的荣耀，就不足介意了。
19受造之物切望等候神的众子显出来。
20因为受造之物服在虚空之下，不是自己愿意，乃是因那叫他如此的；
21但受造之物仍然指望脱离败坏的辖制，得享神儿女自由的荣耀。
22我们知道，一切受造之物一同叹息、劳苦，直到如今。
23不但如此，就是我们这有圣灵初结果子的，也是自己心里叹息，等候得着儿子的名分，乃是我们的身体得赎。
24我们得救是在乎盼望。只是所见的盼望不是盼望。谁还盼望他所见的呢？
25但我们若盼望那所不见的，就必忍耐等候。
26况且，我们的软弱有圣灵帮助。我们本不晓得当怎样祷告，只是圣灵亲自用说不出来的叹息替我们祷告。
27鉴察人心的，晓得圣灵的意思，因为圣灵照着神的旨意替圣徒祈求。
28我们晓得万事都互相效力，叫爱神的人得益处，就是按他旨意被召的人。
29因为他预先所知道的人，就预先定下效法他儿子的模样，使他儿子在许多弟兄中做长子；
30预先所定下的人又召他们来，所召来的人又称他们为义，所称为义的人又叫他们得荣耀。
"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." — Romans 8:28
Christians sometimes have the best intentions but say the wrong things. In attempts to comfort someone who is grieving the death of a loved one, we have been known to offer platitudes like “God had a plan” or “She’s in a better place” or “His suffering is over.” All true, but perhaps we should simply imitate the Spirit with “wordless groans,” offering a hug and ongoing prayers.
The greater the degree of suffering on this earth, the more we long for the day when we will be with Christ in heaven, free from the tyranny of sickness and sorrow.
In this passage, the apostle Paul seeks to encourage God’s people with both strength to get through today and a glorious vision of the future. He tells us that in all things God works for our ultimate good and his purpose. This does not mean all things are inherently good but that God redeems the pain and blesses us.
My Uncle Leon quotes Romans 8:28 as a text that has comforted him and his wife, Shirley, since losing both of their sons in early adulthood. Through tears and a shattered heart, he still expresses confidence that God will use his scars to bless others in similar circumstances. This verse is more than a platitude; it’s a promise based on God’s enduring love.
Lord, in the midst of our deep suffering and crippling grief, may your Spirit begin to heal our hearts and translate our tears into something that is ultimately good. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
