我曾經因為陷於人生的一些困境，而經歷長期的情緒與靈性上的痛苦掙扎。在那樣的情況下，我很容易就會不想去教會（有時候我的確會想：為什麼要這麼麻煩？）。但是，我感到內心有一股力量，催逼我要持續到教堂，參加每個主日的聚會。

雖然我這樣的情況持續了好些年，但是到教堂和其他的信徒一起參加主日聚會、禱告會與查經班，一起敬拜上帝，讓我得到了所需要的鼓勵，使我能堅忍與保持盼望。很多時候，我不僅聽到鼓勵的信息或教導，而且還能從別人身上得到我所需的安慰、傾聽和擁抱。

希伯來書的作者寫道：「你們不可停止聚會，好像那些停止慣了的人，倒要彼此勸勉」（希伯來書10章25節）。這位作者知道，當我們遭遇患難和困境時，我們需要別人的安慰，而別人在面對同樣的情況時，也需要我們的安慰。所以這位作者提醒讀者「要堅守我們所承認的指望，不致搖動」，並且思考如何「彼此相顧，激發愛心，勉勵行善」（23-24節）。這是「勸勉」的重要內涵，也是上帝囑咐我們要持續相聚的原因。也許，有人需要你充滿愛心的鼓勵，而你得到的回報可能會令你感到驚奇。

When I went through an extended period of emotional and spiritual pain and struggle due to difficult circumstances in my life, it would have been easy for me to withdraw from church. (And sometimes I did wonder, Why bother?) But I felt compelled to keep attending each Sunday.

Although my situation remained the same for many long years, worshiping and gathering with other believers in services, prayer meetings, and Bible study supplied the encouragement I needed to persevere and remain hopeful. And often I’d not only hear an uplifting message or teaching, but I’d receive comfort, a listening ear, or a hug I needed from others.

The author of Hebrews wrote, “[Don’t give] up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but [encourage] one another” (Hebrews 10:25). This author knew that when we face hardships and difficulties, we’ll need the reassurance of others—and that others would need ours. So this Scripture writer reminded readers to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess” and to consider how to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds” (vv. 23-24). That’s a big part of what encouragement is. That’s why God leads us to keep meeting together. Someone may need your loving encouragement, and you may be surprised by what you receive in return.