Home昔日真理報2013年 真理報文章2013 年 2 月【夫妻同心】改變自己去「愛」

【夫妻同心】改變自己去「愛」

 

「我的婚姻走不下去了,他一點都不願改,還要跟我離婚,」她在我面前輕啜。
「要不要把你先生找來?」我問。
「不知道他願不願意?我試試看。」


沒想到過兩天她先生竟然來了,坐在我面前。

「你太太說你要離婚,」我問。
「沒辦法,她一點都不願改。」


我訝異他們要離婚的理由竟然一樣,都是看到對方的問題,而對方卻不願改。

「如果你們兩人的問題可以共同努力解決,你還要不要離婚?」
他斬釘截鐵地說:「不要。」


他們最後還是離了,原因是對方不願努力。


有名的基督徒心理學家 Dr. David H. Olson 和他女兒 Amy K. Olson,曾針對 21,501對夫妻做調查研究,整理問卷後發現,有 81% 的受訪夫婦認為,他們婚姻走不下去的原因之一是「我們夫妻有爭執,但問題都出在對方」。好像只要對方改變,問題即可迎刃而解。

果真如此嗎?當我們把責任歸給別人,也把解決的鑰匙給了對方。困在痛苦的婚姻中,我們用盡各種方法,迫使對方改變,結果卻一籌莫展。

看著這對痛苦到最後不得不分手的夫妻,我不禁要問:「究竟是改變自己較容易?還是改變別人容易?」

我們可能都有同感,叫別人改變實在容易多了,我只要動動口就好了,繼續留在自己的安樂窩中,過我想過的日子。若對方不改,則問題在他,是他讓我們的關係如此痛苦。對方若繼續不改,我便繼續在婚姻關係中受苦。

如果要我改變的話,那不是要承認婚姻中的問題是在我了嗎?這讓我好像在配偶面前矮了一截,要如此低頭下氣,實在不容易。另外,「改變」的前題,是要我放下原來舒適的生活方式,勉強自己做不願做的事,或不要做想做的事,去遷就對方,那才累呢?難怪有人寧願在婚姻中繼續受苦,也不願意委曲求全。

那麼,在婚姻中受苦比較輕鬆嗎?不然。在婚姻中的苦,處處充滿了想要卻得不到的挫折感和失敗感。我何等渴望他(她)愛我,願意為我放下一切,遷就我,讓我歡喜。當他不願為我改變時,讓我覺得他並不愛我。我的失望、挫折牽動我的抱怨與情緒,令我抓狂。眼看我們的關係愈走愈糟,我的心陷入恐懼與痛苦。漫漫長夜,我看不到夜盡的黎明,看不到我倆的明天。在極端痛苦與絕望中,我們只有踏上分手之途。

如此撕裂之痛與無奈的結局,又豈是我當初所想像的到呢?

難道在婚姻衝突中我只有這兩種選擇嗎?我可否不用改變,也不用在婚姻關係中受苦呢?當我不改變卻要兩人和平共處,唯一的條件就是對方改變。當對方的改變成為要求時,在永無寧日的戰爭中,夫妻關係、家庭,甚至兒女都成了祭品,傷痕與苦難成了無可逃避的結果。

既然如此,我可以重新選擇嗎?兩者皆苦,我願受哪一種苦呢?在苦難中,我若無法找到意義與希望,有什麼力量讓我走過這苦難的折磨呢?改變自己與改變別人之間,我要如何選擇呢?我願付那一種代價呢?

耶穌說:『為甚麼看見你弟兄眼中有剌,卻不想自己眼中有梁木呢?』(太7:3)

「先去掉自己眼中的樑木,然後才能看得清楚,去掉你弟兄眼中的剌。」(太7:5)在衝突的苦難中,耶穌指出了一個解決的方向,「先」去掉自己眼中的樑木,原來「自己的樑木」是問題的根源,先「去掉」(改變)我的想法與堅持,「才能」看得清楚,「去掉」(改變)你弟兄眼中的刺。

在改變自己的過程中,我們雖受彎腰之苦,但謙卑的品格躍然而出;雖受勉強自己之苦,離開舒適的安樂窩,但去舊我迎新生的喜樂如泉湧流;如此的改變帶出新的能力、新的盼望和新的生命。人雖不能改變別人的生命,卻可以影響生命的改變,起頭卻原來在於改變自己。

在眾多夫妻衝突之中,當我看到一顆願意改變自己的心,我就看到了希望。

(作者是美國家新合格帶領夫婦)

 

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      聖經金句 (Bible Verses)

喜樂 Joy

喜樂的心乃是良藥;憂傷的靈使骨枯乾。箴言 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22

然而,我要因耶和華歡欣,因救我的 神喜樂。哈巴谷書 3:18
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. Habakkuk 3:18

要常常喜樂,不住的禱告,凡事謝恩。帖撒羅尼迦前書 5:16-17
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

饒恕 Forgiveness

主啊,你本為良善,樂意饒恕人,有豐盛的慈愛賜給凡求告你的人。詩篇 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you. Psalm 86:5

你不要說:“我要以惡報惡”;要等候耶和華,他必拯救你。箴言 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the LORD, and he will avenge you. Proverbs 6:14

你們饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必饒恕你們的過犯;馬太福音 6:14
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matthew 6:14

你們不饒恕人的過犯,你們的天父也必不饒恕你們的過犯。馬太福音 6:15
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:15

你們各人若不從心裡饒恕你的弟兄,我天父也要這樣待你們了。馬太福音 18:35
This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart. Matthew 18:35

謙卑 Humility

敬畏耶和華是智慧的訓誨;尊榮以前,必有謙卑。箴言 15:33
Wisdom’s instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor. Proverbs 15:33

敬畏耶和華心存謙卑,就得富有、尊榮、生命為賞賜。箴言 22:4
Humility is the fear of the LORD; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

凡事不可結黨,不可貪圖虛浮的榮耀;只要存心謙卑,各人看別人比自己強。腓立比書 2:3
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2:3

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

驕傲 Pride

驕傲來,羞恥也來;謙遜人卻有智慧。箴言 11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

驕傲只啟爭競;聽勸言的,卻有智慧。箴言 13:10
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Proverbs 13:10

驕傲在敗壞以先;狂心在跌倒之前。箴言 16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Proverbs 16:18

但他賜更多的恩典,所以經上說:神阻擋驕傲的人,賜恩給謙卑的人。雅各書 4:6
But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” James 4:6

忍耐 Patience

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

並且你們要為我的名,被眾人恨惡,惟有忍耐到底的,必然得救。馬可福音 13:13
Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

不但如此,就是在患難中也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance. Romans 5:3

我們行善,不可喪志;若不灰心,到了時候就要收成加拉太書 6:9
Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

你們也當忍耐,堅固你們的心,因為主來的日子近了。雅各書 5:8
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. James 5:8

溫柔 Meekness

回答柔和,使怒消退;言語暴戾,觸動怒氣。箴言 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

溫柔的人有福了,因為他們必承受地土。馬太福音 5:5
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Matthew 5:5

用溫柔勸戒那抵擋的人;或者 神給他們悔改的心,可以明白真道。提摩太後書 2:25
Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth. 2 Timothy 2:25

只要以裡面存著長久溫柔、安靜的心為妝飾;這在 神面前是極寶貴的。彼得前書 3:4
Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. 1 Peter 3:4

嫉妒 Envy

不要為作惡的心懷不平,也不要向那行不義的生出嫉妒。詩篇 37:1
Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong. Psalm 37:1

心中安靜是肉體的生命;嫉妒是骨中的朽爛。箴言 14:30
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30

在何處有嫉妒、紛爭,就在何處有擾亂和各樣的壞事。雅各書 3:16
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16

生氣 Anger

當止住怒氣,離棄忿怒;不要心懷不平,以致作惡。詩篇 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. Psalm 37:8

好生氣的人,不可與他結交;暴怒的人,不可與他來往。箴言 22:24
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered. Proverbs 22:24

愚妄人怒氣全發;智慧人忍氣含怒。箴言 29:11
Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. Proverbs 29:11

生氣卻不要犯罪.不可含怒到日落。以弗所書 4:26
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. Ephesians 4:26

我親愛的弟兄們,這是你們所知道的,但你們各人要快快的聽,慢慢的說,慢慢的動怒,因為人的怒氣並不成就 神的義。雅各書 1:19,20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19,20

災難 Calamity

謹守口與舌的、就保守自己免受災難。箴言 21:23
Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Proverbs 21:23

民要攻打民、國要攻打國、多處必有地震、饑荒.這都是災難的起頭。馬可福音 13:8
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. Mark 13:8

憂愁 Worry

你們不要憂愁、因靠耶和華而得的喜樂是你們的力量。尼希米記 8:10
Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10

主雖使人憂愁, 還要照他諸般的慈愛發憐憫。耶利米哀歌 3:32
Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love. Lamentations 3:32

凡勞苦擔重擔的人,可以到我這裡來,我就使你們得安息。馬太福音 11:28
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28

我留下平安給你們、我將我的平安賜給你們.我所賜的、不像世人所賜的.你們心裏不要憂愁、也不要膽怯。約翰福音 14:27
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

應當一無掛慮,只要凡事藉著禱告、祈求和感謝,將你們所要的告訴神。神所賜出人意外的平安,必在基督耶穌裡,保守你們的心懷意念。腓立比書 4:6,7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7

因此, 你們是大有喜樂, 但如今, 在百般的試煉中暫時憂愁。彼得前書 1:6
In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 1 Peter 1:6

患難 Trouble, Suffering

義人多有苦難,但耶和華救他脫離這一切。詩篇 34:19
The righteous person may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all. Psalm 34:19

神是我們的避難所,是我們的力量,是我們在患難中隨時的幫助!詩篇 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

耶和華本為善,在患難的日子為人的保障,並且認得那些投靠他的人。那鴻書 1:7
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him. Nahum 1:7

為義受逼迫的人有福了,因為天國是他們的。馬太福音 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:10

不但如此,就是在患難中,也是歡歡喜喜的。因為知道患難生忍耐。羅馬書 5:3
Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; Romans 5:3

我想現在的苦楚,若比將來要顯於我們的榮耀,就不足介意了。羅馬書 8:18
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

因為你們蒙恩,不但得以信服基督,並要為他受苦。腓立比書 1:29
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. Philippians 1:29

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