Could We Psych Ourselves Up Against Suffering?

​Could we psych ourselves up against suffering by constantly telling ourselves to be happy? Psalms 126 shows us different paths.
 
Suffering is inevitable. The psalmist in Psalm 126 described Israelites as destitute, like the lifeless, barren desert of Negev. There was no mention of them doing anything wrong, yet they were in anguish. They might not have understood why they suffered, which can be a source of pain by itself.
 
Christians may even weep more than others. Our hearts of stone have been changed to hearts of flesh, making us more vulnerable to feel pain than before (Ezekiel 11:19, 36:26).
 
Even Christ, the perfect human, suffered.
 
When we suffer, we must not give in to self-pity. Our suffering is nothing compared to what Christ went through for us. If we suffer in following Christ, then we should count it as a blessing (2 Corinthians 4:17).
 
When we suffer, have faith that God is still with us. No matter what we’ve done, Christ has already endured our punishment. Be assured in God’s promise of His grace and eternal glory with us forever.
 
Honestly express your feelings in prayer. One psalmist even asked God to go away so he could enjoy life again before dying (Psalms 39:13). God understands our frustration. When Christ was in deep sorrow in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:36-46), and when God the Father abandoned Him on the cross (Matthew 47:46), Christ honestly expressed His pain.
 
And be patient. Persistent prayer will end in praise. Many Psalms begin with the psalmists crying out to God but end in praise.
 
Finally, be proactive. “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy” (Psalms 126:5, 6).
In summary, expect suffering. Don’t feel self-pity, but have faith that God is with us. So, honestly express your pain to Him in prayer. Be patient and proactive. God will provide, and He will deliver.
​
Summarized from Tim Keller’s sermon:
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/praying-our-tears-5177/


我们可以使自己不感到受苦吗？
 
妈妈有一个好朋友,身体很薄弱，即使走路也有风险。为了让自己不受痛苦折磨，她会经常对自己说：“快乐！快乐！” 这有用吗？让诗篇126向我们展示了不同的方法。
 
首先，意料生活中的泪水。苦难是不可避免的。
 
诗人在诗篇126中描述以色列人的贫困，就像内盖夫（Negev）, 一个类似没有生命，贫瘠的沙漠。那里没有提到以色列人做错了什么，那里也没有记载过以色列人悔改的话。然而，他们却流泪，痛苦。他们可能不明白为什么受苦。不知道为什么本身就是一个痛苦的根源。
 
基督徒甚至可能比其他人哭得更厉害。我们的石头之心可能已经变成软肉的心，这使我们比以前更容易感到痛苦（以西结书 11: 19; 36: 26）。
 
甚至基督,一个完美的人,也是一个悲伤的人。
 
所以意料悲伤吧。
 
当我们受苦时，不要感到自怜。相比与基督为我们所经历的苦难，我们的痛苦是微不足道的。如果苦难是为了跟随基督，那就为他受苦吧 （哥林多后书 4: 17）！
 
当我们受苦时要相信上帝不会离弃我们。无论我们做错了什么，基督已经得到了我们的惩罚。我们肯定有上帝的恩典和永恒的荣耀。
 
所以，应回到上帝面前，在祷告中诚实地表达我们的感受。一位诗人甚至要求上帝离开他，让他在死之前再次享受生活（诗篇 39: 13）。上帝理解我们的沮丧。 当基督在客西马尼园中非常悲伤时（马太福音 26: 36-46），或当他挂在十字架上父神离弃他时（马太福音 47: 46），基督也真诚地表达出他的悲痛。
 
要加一点耐心。坚持不懈的祷告常会导致赞美做终结。很多诗歌在诗篇里的开端是充满了悲楚，但以赞美神来结束。
 
此外我们也要主动。 “流淚撒種的，必欢呼收割。” (诗篇126: 5,6)
 
总之，意料生命中有痛苦。在苦难中，不应自怜。 要信赖上帝与我们同在。在祷告中诚实地表达我们的苦楚。耐心点。主动点。上帝会供应和拯救我们的。