Read: Ephesians 4:2–6

Being honest about our struggles allows us to help each other.

坦承自己所面临的挣扎，才能让我们彼此扶助。

Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2

忍耐，用爱心互相宽容。-以弗所书4章2节

As I ventured out several weeks after shoulder surgery, I was fearful. I had become comfortable using my arm sling, but both my surgeon and physical therapist now told me to stop wearing it. That’s when I saw this statement: “At this stage, sling wear is discouraged except as a visible sign of vulnerability in an uncontrolled environment.”

我的肩膀动了手术，几周来我都使用手臂吊带。但如今外科医生和物理治疗师都告诉我，不应再继续使用手臂吊带，这让我感到有些害怕。后来，我读到了一则资讯：“康复后期尽可能不要使用手臂吊带，除非是为了向人突显伤处。”

Ah, that was it! I feared the enthusiastic person who might give me a bear hug or the unaware friend who might bump me accidentally. I was hiding behind my flimsy baby-blue sling because I feared being hurt.

说的真好！我就是害怕有人太过热情给我一个拥抱，或是不知情的朋友不小心撞到我。因为怕受伤，我就会用粉蓝色手臂吊带，突显自己的脆弱。

Allowing ourselves to be vulnerable can be scary. We want to be loved and accepted for who we are, but we fear that if people truly knew us, they would reject us and we could get hurt. What if they found out we are not smart enough . . . kind enough . . . good enough?

然而展现自己脆弱的一面，有时也会让我们害怕。我们都希望人们能接纳并喜爱我们真实的样子，但我们又担心，当别人真正地认识我们，可能就会排斥我们，使我们因此而受伤。如果别人发现我其实没那么聪明、没那么善良，又没那么好，那该怎么办呢？

But as members of God’s family, we have a responsibility to help each other grow in faith. We’re told to “encourage one another,” to “build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11), and to “be patient, bearing with one another in love” (Eph. 4:2).

身为上帝家中的成员，我们有责任帮助彼此的信心增长。圣经告诉我们要“彼此劝慰”、“互相建立”(帖撒罗尼迦前书5章11节) ，并要“忍耐，用爱心互相宽容” (以弗所书4章2节) 。

When we are honest and vulnerable with other believers, we may discover we have mutual struggles battling temptation or learning how to live obediently. But most of all, we will share the wonder of God’s gift of grace in our lives.

只要信徒之间以诚相待，愿意让人看到自己软弱的一面，我们就会发现彼此都同样在学习抗拒试探，或过顺服的生活。最宝贵的是，我们能分享上帝在生命中的奇妙恩典。

Dear Lord, many times my fear of being hurt keeps me from being honest about my struggles. Help me to remember how much You love me, and help me to be patient and loving with others.

主啊，我常因害怕受伤，而无法向人坦承内心的挣扎。求祢帮助我，让我记得祢是多么爱我。也帮助我对他人，能满有耐心与关怀。

Read: Ephesians 4:2–6

2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

整理：于姊妹