忍耐

忍耐
聖經閱讀：羅馬書5:1-11現代中譯本|合和本
2016年3月22日(二)

　幾年前，如果要將一件事告訴住在遠方的朋友，你就必須寫信，然後將信放進信封中寄出去。你的朋友會在四到五天後收到你的信，然後再回信給你。所以，在十到十二天之後，你才會收到朋友的回覆。
現今的世界不一樣了，我們可以寄電子郵件或發簡訊給朋友，然後馬上收到回覆。或者，我們可以打視訊電話給聾人朋友，然後看見他們對我們比手語。
但是上帝希望我們耐心跟祂溝通，當我們有耐心時，就會專注在上帝，而不是專注在自己或是遇到的麻煩上。持守耐心是一件困難的事，因為我們希望現在就得到每一件東西，但是上帝知道什麼是對我們最好的，祂會按著祂的時間解決每一件事。

要對上帝、也要對人持守耐心。 —JM

「……因為我們知道患難培養忍耐，忍耐蒙上帝嘉許，上帝的嘉許帶來盼望。」 羅馬書5:3b-4

禱告：天父，我願成為有耐心的人，求祢幫助我記得祢永遠知道什麼是對我最好的。奉耶穌的名，阿們！

(林煜茹譯)

Patience
Bible Reading: Romans 5:1-11
Tuesday, March 22, 2016

　A few years ago, if you wanted to tell something to your friend who lived far away, you had to write a letter. Then you had to put the letter in an envelope and mail it. Your friend would receive your letter four or five days later and write back to you. So, after ten or twelve days, you would get a response from your friend.
The world is different today. We can send an e-mail or text our friend and receive an immediate response. Or, we can call our deaf friend on a videophone and see them signing to us.
But God wants us to be patient in our communication with Him. When we are patient, we focus on God instead of focusing on ourselves and our troubles. It is hard to be patient because we want everything NOW. But God knows what is best for us. He will work out everything in His time.
Be patient with God and with other people, too. —JM

“...these troubles make us more patient. And this patience is proof that we are strong. And this proof gives us hope.” Romans 5:3b-4

PRAYER: Father, I want to be patient. Help me to remember that You always know what is best for me. In Jesus' name. Amen.