Facing Fear 面对惧怕
Dexu Xia
When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3
Warren moved to a small town to pastor a church. After his ministry had some initial success, one of the locals turned on him. Concocting a story accusing Warren of horrendous acts, the man took the story to the local newspaper and even printed his accusations on pamphlets to distribute to local residents by mail. Warren and his wife started praying hard. If the lie was believed, their lives would be upended.
King David once experienced something similar. He faced an attack of slander by an enemy. “All day long they twist my words,” he said, “all their schemes are for my ruin” (Psalm 56:5). This sustained assault left him fearful and tearful (v. 8). But in the midst of the battle, he prayed this powerful prayer: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. . . . What can mere mortals do to me?” (vv. 3–4).
David’s prayer can be a model for us today. When I am afraid—in times of fear or accusation, we turn to God. I put my trust in you—we place our battle in God’s powerful hands. What can mere mortals do to me?—facing the situation with Him, we remember how limited the powers against us really are.
The newspaper ignored the story about Warren. For some reason, the pamphlets were never distributed. What battle do you fear today? Talk to God. He’s willing to fight it with you.
What real fears do you face? How can David’s prayer help you deal with them?
Loving God, I’m afraid—and so today I put my trust in You. What can mere mortals do to me when You’re fighting for me? Thank You for the coming victory.
我惧怕的时候要倚靠祢。—诗篇56篇3节
沃伦搬到一个小镇牧养教会，他的事工有一些果效之后，有个本地人开始攻击毁谤他。这人捏造一个故事指控沃伦做了可怕的事，并将此事告诉当地的报社，甚至把针对沃伦的控诉印成小册子，准备邮寄给当地的居民。沃伦夫妇开始恳切祷告。若人们相信这个谎言，他们的生活将被彻底摧毁。
大卫王曾有相似的经历，他也同样面对敌人的攻击诽谤。他说：“他们终日颠倒我的话，他们一切的心思都是要害我”（诗篇56篇5节）。敌人持续不断的攻击使他惧怕、流泪（8节）。但在争战中，他却满有信心地祷告说：“我惧怕的时候要倚靠祢。……血气之辈能把我怎么样呢？”（3-4节）
大卫的祷告可以成为我们今日学习的榜样。我惧怕的时候：当面对恐惧或指责时，我们可以寻求上帝；要倚靠祢：把争战放在上帝大能的手中；血气之辈能把我怎么样呢？与上帝一同面对困境，我们会发现敌人的力量是多么有限。
结果，当地的报社并没有理会那人对沃伦所编造的故事。因着某些缘故，那些小册子也没有寄送出去。今日你害怕什么样的争战呢？向上帝倾诉吧，祂愿意与你一同争战。
哪些事会让你感到恐惧？
大卫的祷告如何帮助你去面对？
当祢为我争战，人能把我怎么样呢？
我为即将得胜而感谢祢。想要以信心取代恐惧吗