「凡不因我絆跌的，就有福了。」－路加福音7:23
我們可能因著祂安排的環境而憤憤不平。當我盼望有寬廣出路的時候，祂卻將我囚禁於狹小的牢房裡，受困於狹窄的區域、病房，和可厭的地方。
然而，主知道我最需要什麼，我的環境總是出於祂的美意。這些，無非是為了加強我對祂的信靠，使我被吸引，與祂有更親密的交通，也使我的的生命更加成熟。我的靈魂因著地牢的關鎖，反而更加昌盛、茁壯。
我們可能在思想上被主冒犯。心頭常被無法解決的困惑所糾纏。原本以為只要簡單將自己交給神，天色就會放晴；然而陰霾依然深鎖，烏雲仍舊密佈。求主使我能繼續相信，雖然環境依舊，但我能開始學習信靠，學習無所懼怕；並藉著我心思裡天人交戰的經歷，去幫助那些同樣處在風暴裡的人。
我們也可能在屬靈上被主得罪。我曾以為我只要被圍繞在羊圈中，祂就能為我抵擋試煉的狂風；但那畢竟是我的想像。但也許現在這樣更好，因為主的恩典與日俱增，我的生命也日漸成熟；當我的人生的旅途來到終點，我的來世會更加美好。那時，當我再回望一路的步履蹣跚，就會由衷歌唱、讚美我的領路人。
所以，不論前頭有什麼在等著我，只要是出於祂的旨意，我都該歡喜迎接，永遠不因主而動怒。
－施梅理
"Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me" (Luke 7:23).It is sometimes very difficult not to be offended in Jesus Christ. The offenses may be circumstantial. I find myself in a prison-house--a narrow sphere, a sick chamber, an unpopular position--when I had hoped for wide opportunities. Yes, but He knows what is best for me. My environment is of His determining. He means it to intensify my faith, to draw me into nearer communion with Himself, to ripen my power. In the dungeon my soul should prosper.
The offense may be mental. I am haunted by perplexities, questions, which I cannot solve. I had hoped that, when I gave myself to Him, my sky would always be clear; but often it is overspread by mist and cloud. Yet let me believe that, if difficulties remain, it is that I may learn to trust Him all the more implicitly--to trust and not be afraid. Yes, and by my intellectual conflicts, I am trained to be a tutor to other storm-driven men.
The offense may be spiritual. I had fancied that within His fold I should never feel the biting winds of temptation; but it is best as it is. His grace is magnified. My own character is matured. His Heaven is sweeter at the close of the day. There I shall look back on the turnings and trials of the way, and shall sing the praises of my Guide. So, let come what will come, His will is welcome; and I shall refuse to be offended in my loving Lord. --Alexander Smellie
