“‘凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。’” – 太 11:28
世界各地在2019年后，因新冠病毒传播，进入了封控，心理健康的问题随后也急剧增长。大学校园生活变化天翻地覆，还有其他社会部门的情况也如出一辙。根据相关研究报告，经历高度压力和焦虑水平的学生，达百份之七十五之多。很多人都难以入睡，过好每一天这样平凡的愿望，已俨然成为一个极大的挑战。
我们可以用内心缺乏平安来形容压力和焦虑。相比世人在心理健康方面的挑战，我们仍然可以有盼望，原因就在于，我们知道“圣灵所结的果子就是 … 和平”（加拉太书 5:22），盼望就是由此而来的。圣灵关心我们纷乱繁杂的内心、并且有办法来平息它。很多时候，圣灵藉着辅导和药物手段来赐予我们平安；如果有必要采用这些措施的话，这些都不失为得痊愈的好方法。更值得感恩的是，我们信靠神会照顾我们生活一切的需要，而在基督里，我们也拥有获得更大平安的应许。
祷告
天父啊，你在凡事上都顾念我们，我们感谢你。在我们感到焦虑的日子里，求你赐我们内心的平安，又恳求在我们心里的圣灵，能使我们有力量为别人带来从容与安慰。奉耶稣名求，阿们。
马太福音 11:28-30
28凡劳苦担重担的人，可以到我这里来，我就使你们得安息。
29我心里柔和谦卑，你们当负我的轭，学我的样式，这样你们心里就必得享安息。
30因为我的轭是容易的，我的担子是轻省的。”
The Fruit Of The Spirit Is Peace
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28
As our world entered into COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions, sharp rises in mental health issues soon followed. Everyday life at college and university campuses, among many other settings, turned upside down. Some studies reported that as many as 75 percent of students experienced elevated levels of stress and anxiety. For many, sleep became elusive, and functioning well on a daily basis became a huge challenge.
Stress and anxiety can be described as a lack of inner peace. When we consider the mental health struggles of our world, there is reason for hope. Hope comes when we learn that “the fruit of the Spirit is . . . peace” (Galatians 5:22). The Spirit cares about our inner turmoil and seeks to calm it. And in many cases the Spirit works to bring peace through counseling and medication. These can be helpful means toward healing, if needed. Thankfully we can trust that whatever we need, God cares about every aspect of our lives, and in Christ we have the promise of increased peace.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you that your concern for us is all encompassing. We pray for inner peace in the midst of our anxious times, and may the Spirit in us provide a calming presence for others. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
