在2018年，美國牧師譚．弗利平（Tan Flippin）騎腳踏車時發生意外，髖部骨折被送進醫院。醫生安排他做電腦斷層檢查，看看是否有腦震盪，竟意外發現在他的大腦前側，有一個很大的惡性腫瘤。隨著這個發現，他開始了漫長的醫療過程。過後醫生在他身體裡找到了更多腫瘤，擴大治療範圍，還為他做了骨髓移植。弗利平牧師相信：「上帝讓我發生意外事故，是為了讓我發現腦瘤。」

使徒保羅告訴腓立比的眾信徒，上帝會藉著我們的意外事故和逆境來彰顯祂的榮耀。當時，保羅被羅馬政府軟禁，正等著羅馬皇帝尼祿的審判，可能會面對死刑，但他並不感到悲傷，甚至還滿心喜樂。為什麼呢？因他將「為基督的緣故」受捆鎖（腓立比書1章13節）視為一種殊榮（29節）。他從上帝的觀點來看自己的苦難，寫道：「我所遭遇的事更是叫福音興旺」（12節）。保羅利用自己被軟禁的機會，向看守他的士兵傳講福音。最後，他在被監禁期間傳揚福音的榜樣，激勵其他信徒也「放膽傳上帝的道，無所懼怕」（14節）。

當遭遇患難時，願我們能相信上帝的計劃，無論處境有多艱難，其中都有上帝的美意，讓人從中得到益處。

In 2018, pastor Tan Flippin had a cycling accident that landed him in the hospital with fractures to his hip. When the doctors ordered a CT scan to check for a concussion, they discovered a large malignant tumor on the front of his brain. The discovery led to a long medical journey with more masses found and extensive treatments performed—including a bone marrow transplant. Flippin believes that “God allowed the accident for my brain tumor to be found.”

Paul told the Philippians that God can use accidents and other adversities for His glory. The apostle was under Roman house arrest, awaiting trial before the emperor Nero for a capital offense. Rather than being sad, Paul rejoiced. How could he be joyful? He counted being “in chains for Christ” (Philippians 1:13) as a privilege (v. 29). Next, looking at his adversity from God’s perspective, Paul said, “What has happened to me has actually served to advance the gospel” (v. 12). He used his incarceration as an opportunity to share the gospel with the guards chained to him. Finally, as he preached the good news of Jesus while in bondage, his example encouraged other believers “to proclaim the gospel without fear” (v. 14). 

When adversity comes, let’s trust God’s perspective and believe that—even from what’s difficult—He can bring something good.