经历过孩子死亡的父母更能理解他人的痛苦。战争老兵、化疗病人、受虐幸存者和康复中的上瘾者也是如此。同理心是连接的纽带。
使徒保罗解释说，我们受苦还有一个更高的目的：我们可以把从神那里得到的安慰传递给别人。在一个越来越注重个人需求的世界里，神的心意是要我们彼此怜悯。神要我们超越自己，看到周围人的需要，就像耶稣对待他们一样。
我第一次被诊断出患有黑素瘤时，必须在洛杉矶的一家大型癌症中心登记。当我在候诊室看到其他几十个病患时，感到又难过又不知所措——许多人都掉了头发，推着学步车，或者看上去很虚弱。如今我已经成为一个我从未想过要加入的俱乐部成员。
但现在我已经更好地被装备，用我从神那里得到的安慰去安慰其他癌症患者。我可以见证说我曾经“在那里，经历过”——而神从未离开我，尽管癌症又复发了。
我们在基督里有许多安慰，靠着祂的能力，我们可以把神的爱和安慰传递给他人。
主啊，你对我们真好。在一切患难中，你的灵靠近并安慰我们。愿我们将你的安慰慷慨地给予那些疼痛的人。阿们。
哥林多后书 1:3-7
3愿颂赞归于我们的主耶稣基督的父神，就是发慈悲的父，赐各样安慰的神！
4我们在一切患难中，他就安慰我们，叫我们能用神所赐的安慰去安慰那遭各样患难的人。
5我们既多受基督的苦楚，就靠基督多得安慰。
6我们受患难呢，是为叫你们得安慰、得拯救；我们得安慰呢，也是为叫你们得安慰。这安慰能叫你们忍受我们所受的那样苦楚。
7我们为你们所存的盼望是确定的，因为知道你们既是同受苦楚，也必同得安慰。
"God . . . comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God." — 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Parents who have suffered the death of a child have a special understanding of one another’s pain. The same can be said of war veterans, chemotherapy patients, abuse survivors, and recovering addicts. Empathy is a tie that binds.
The apostle Paul explains that there can be a higher purpose in our suffering: we can pass along to others the comfort we have received from God. In a world where the focus is increasingly on our individual needs, God’s plan is that we would have compassion for one another. God wants us to look beyond ourselves to the needs of the people around us, being like Jesus to them.
The first time I was diagnosed with melanoma, I had to register with a large cancer center in Los Angeles. I felt sad and overwhelmed as I watched dozens of other patients in the waiting room—many had lost their hair, were pushing walkers, or appeared frail and weak. I was now a member of a club I had never sought to join.
But now I am better equipped to comfort cancer patients with the same comfort I have received from God. I can testify that I’ve “been there, done that”—and God has never left my side, despite a recurrence.
Our comfort abounds in Christ, and in his strength we can pass along God’s love and comfort to others.
Lord, you have been so good to us. In times of trouble, your Spirit comes near and comforts us. May we give generously of your comfort as we meet others who are hurting. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
