Encouragement JW style

by moomanchu 10 Replies latest watchtower beliefs

  • moomanchu
    moomanchu

    From my inbox

    >Subject: being tired?

    > The talk was centered on being tired/weary. We are so tired in this day
    >and age and the brother mentioned Jeremiah and how after being put in
    >stocks for one day he was complaining and cursing the man that announced
    >his birth and wishing that he had died in his mom's womb. He was tired.
    >

    > Then he asked what comes to mind when you think of Job's wife. Most
    >people think of her telling Job to curse god and die. The C.O. asks why
    >wasn't she rebuked with the others (the three so-called comforters)? It was
    >brought out that Job's wife was tired. More tired that you can imagine.
    >

    > Think of this .when the messengers told Job that he had lost all his
    >livestock, Job's wife lost hers too .when the messengers told Job that he
    >had lost all his land and material goods, Job's wife lost hers too ...when
    >the messengers told Job that he had lost all his children, Job's wife lost
    >hers too ...think ...the children that you carried for nine months, bonded
    >with as you breast-fed each and everyone of them .watched them grow up and
    >stand tall and only to lose them all at once violently ...was she tired?
    >...Yes!...Then to make matters worse (if they could get any worse), your
    >husband mysteriously and suddenly develops huge boils all over his body
    >that are open and oozing pus and stink. You watch as the man you love, the
    >father of your children cracks a pottery jar and begins to dig and scratch
    >himself in order to alleviate some of the pain, but to no avail.
    >
    > This man who has been all that to you, who is staying away because his
    >breath is so bad that no one can stand it. You are sitting by helpless with
    >no explanation for anything. Do you want to continue to see him suffer or
    >would you too want him to die? Most of us would want a loved one out of
    >his/her misery. So when Job's wife said curse God and die, she wasn't being
    >disloyal to Jehovah, she wanted her husband's misery to be over. It was an
    >act of love. She was tired!!
    >
    > In the end, not only was she not reproved but she was blessed with
    >everything that Job received, more children, more wealth and a healthy
    >husband.
    >
    > Well, I also wanted to add a comment shared with me concerning Job that
    >was very helpful to me.
    >
    > There are those times due to our health problems either physical, or
    >mental, that we are not doing all that we feel that we should.
    >
    > I was crying about it, and she asked me ...did I consider Job a faithful man?
    > Of course I said "oh yes!"
    >
    > Then she lovingly pointed out, that at one time, all Job could do, was
    >sit in the dirt, and scrape his sores. That was his act of worship, proving
    >Satan a liar. He did not lose faith. So, next time you are being hard on
    >yourself for circumstances beyond your control....remember the account of
    >Job.
    >
    > So we can in spite of our circumstances still give a reply even if we
    >are just breathing and praying to Jehovah to get through the next minute.
    >Whether it is physical or mental distress.
    >
    > We can be liked to Job only able to scrape his sores and praying to get
    >through this trial yet we are still doing what Jehovah has asked us to do.
    >Give him a reply to Satan. This was powerful for me.
    >
    > "As the end draws near, you may find the pace may quicken, the road may
    >get rougher, the path steeper. But make sure you never tire out, that you
    >never quit, that you never become a dropout."

    >
    > - Lyman Swingle - June 1, 1989 Watchtower page 22

    Didn't the JWs always slam Job's wife for being unfaithful to God ??

  • Honesty
    Honesty

    Yeah, and he didn't read his Bible, either:

    Share your master’s joy!’ Matt 25:21

    “I have spoken these things to you so that My joy may be in you and your joy may be complete. John 15:11

    Ask and you will receive, that your joy may be complete. John 16:24

    Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit

    Romans 15:13

    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Gal 5:22-23

    We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:4

    I have come that they may have life and have it in abundance. John 10:10

  • parakeet
    parakeet

    Yeah, that's what I want to hear about when I'm tired and depressed -- running sores, abject poverty, dead children. That's almost as good a pickmeup as the thought of the imminent violent destruction of 6 billion people. That Watchtower! They really know how to make that frown turn upside down!

  • lonelysheep
    lonelysheep

    Gee...that's exactly the same type of talk guilt trip that would make me wish death upon myself each night before I went to bed.

    What NOT to tell a depressed and/or suicidal person:

    The Job is faithful story

    Do more

    Wait on Jehovah

  • Good Girl or Bad Girl?
    Good Girl or Bad Girl?
    Encouragement JW style

    "Go out in service more."

    "Read your bible more."

    "You don't need therapy."

    "Pray to Jehovah and meditate more."

    "you are not doing enough."

    "if you are feeling sad and depressed it's your own fault."

  • blondie
    blondie
    As one of the senseless women speaks, you speak also.

    Sounds like Job needed to apply the counsel in this Sunday's WT study article.

    "Insulting speech...calling one's mate stupid, lazy, or selfish implies that his or her entire character can be summed up by a label--a demeaning one at that!"

    Could "senseless" be considered a label demeaning label?

    The WTS adds to the story in one magazine saying:

    *** w94 11/15 p. 13 par. 15 Job Endured—So Can We! ***

    she may have spoken sarcastically

    Actually, I heard that talk as a JW and thought what a better approach to things than in the WT articles. Look long and hard and you will find that the WTS printed word does not give people the benefit of the doubt, that weariness is an acceptable reason for not reaching the impossibly high requirements of the WTS. I found Lyman Swingle's words comforting. For once Job's wife was not made into a tool of the devil.

    Blondie

  • SirNose586
    SirNose586
    Actually, I heard that talk as a JW and thought what a better approach to things than in the WT articles. Look long and hard and you will find that the WTS printed word does not give people the benefit of the doubt, that weariness is an acceptable reason for not reaching the impossibly high requirements of the WTS. I found Lyman Swingle's words comforting. For once Job's wife was not made into a tool of the devil.

    Good point. I heard comments that Job's wife was "influenced by Satan," during those recent Job WT studies.

  • serendipity
    serendipity

    What an uncharacteristically compassionate view of Job's wife.

  • BluesBrother
    BluesBrother

    The talk seems to be aimed at those dubs, usually "sisters" who suffer depression and weariness from ill health. Being in the Org can make one feel worthless. I see this as an attempt to encourage them . It may not work for everyone, but I can think of some who would appreciate it.

  • valkyrie
    valkyrie

    All in all (overlooking the simple-mindedness of the assumption that giving birth to even more children could possibly compensate for the needless annihilation of earlier offspring), a surprisingly encouraging message.

    HOWEVER, did Swingle (or his cited source) need to have his outlook "adjusted?" Consider:

    Then she lovingly pointed out, that at one time, all Job could do, was
    >sit in the dirt, and scrape his sores.That was his act of worship, proving
    >Satan a liar. He did not lose faith. So, next time you are being hard on
    >yourself for circumstances beyond your control....remember the account of
    >Job.

    versus:

    [BORROWED FROM http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/110806/1933444/post.ashx#1933444 ]***w808/15pp.30-31QuestionsFromReaders***

    QuestionsFrom Readers

    ?

    AtColossians3:23Christiansarecounseledtoservetheirmasters"whole-souledastoJehovah,andnottomen."DoesthismeanthatsecularworkdoneastoJehovahispartofoursacredservice?

    The Greek word la·trei´a, translated "sacred service" in the NewWorldTranslation,refers to dedicated worship or service to God. (Rom. 12:1) Jesus himself showed that it involves giving one’s primary allegiance to Jehovah. (Matt. 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8) It is service directed toward advancing the interests of Jehovah’s kingdom.

    In ancient times, God’s dedicated nation of Israel rendered "sacred service" in obedience to the requirements of the Law covenant, in order to become to Jehovah "a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." (Ex. 19:5, 6) This service provided types and shadows of realities to appear later under the New Covenant arrangement, in connection with God’s kingdom by Christ Jesus. (Heb. 8:5; 9:9, 14) Thus anointed Christians are told: "Seeing that we are to receive a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us continue to have undeserved kindness, through which we may acceptably render God sacred service with godly fear and awe." (Heb. 12:28) Their companions, the "great crowd," who look forward to everlasting life on earth, must likewise show godly fear as they perform their assigned "sacred service" in the earthly courtyard of Jehovah’s temple.—Rev. 7:9, 15.

    Does this "sacred service" mean simply ‘living a good life,’ being a fine example in raising and providing for one’s family, keeping the house clean, applying oneself at school, and so forth? Hardly, for the Israelites did such things over and above the sacred service that Jehovah commanded them to perform. (Ex. 7:16; 12:25, 26 [la·trei´a, Greek SeptuagintVersion]) And though the Sabbath law required them to ‘render service, and do all their work six days,’ certain sacred services were carried on even during the seventh day, such as at festivals and in giving instruction in the synagogues.—Ex. 13:5, 6; 20:9; Acts 13:14, 15; 18:4.

    Today, there are people who live clean, moral lives, but who have no interest at all in God or his purposes. Surely their lives cannot be described as "sacred service." Obviously, this has to do specifically with service to God, done out of appreciation for sacred things—something out of the ordinary that calls for the sacrifice of time and energy. It is different from secular work or everyday living, though with Christians this also should be done "for God’s glory."—1 Cor. 10:31; Rom. 1:9.

    Outstandingly, in this time preceding the "great tribulation" our "sacred service" requires obedience to Jesus’ commands to preach and to teach "this good news of the kingdom," warning the people and making disciples. (Matt. 24:14, 21; 28:19, 20)

    It also embraces our assembling for worship, our family studies of the Bible and discussions of the text for each day. It extends to special service in the pioneer and missionary fields, and at Bethel homes operated for supplying spiritual food and providing good organization for the worldwide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses. It includes the services performed by traveling and congregational overseers and ministerial servants, as they care for the spiritual interests of their brothers. (Deut. 31:12, 13; 6:4-9; Eph. 6:4; Acts 1:8; 20:28; 1 Pet. 5:2, 3; 1 Tim. 3:1, 12, 13) This "sacred service" of all of God’s organized people is rendered from dedicated hearts, and with the help of Jehovah’s spirit and his holy angels. (Phil. 3:3; Acts 27:23) If we by such service ‘keep on seeking first the kingdom and [God’s] righteousness,’ Jehovah will see to it that the daily necessities of life are "added" to us.—Matt. 6:33; Luke 12:31. [ITALICS ADDED; note that Job performed made no so extraordinary output of time and effort, yet he still had the "daily necessities of life" added (or returned) to him. Perhaps that means that simply his frame-of-mind was sufficient to satisfy his God... who was evidently less avid for constant external displays of devotion than the WTS!]

    Our "sacred service" must be modeled after the kind of service that Jesus did on earth. (1 Pet. 2:21-23) It is performed out of love for God and love for neighbor, the kind of self-sacrificing love in which Jesus set the example. (Mark 12:30, 31; John 13:34; 15:13) This

    service places emphasis on our public preaching, for we are told: "Let us always [through Jesus] offer to God a sacrifice of praise, that is, the fruit of lips which make public declaration to his name." At the same time, we must "not forget the doing of good and the sharing of things with others"—no, not as mere charitable works, but from the heart in behalf of fellow worshipers. Thus when our brothers are in need, suffer calamity or are in distress, we will render loving assistance, so that all may be encouraged to hold fast the public declaration of their hope without wavering. "With such sacrifices God is well pleased."—Heb. 10:23-25; 13:15, 16; Rom. 10:10-15; Jas. 1:27.

    Do you have to readjust your viewpoint on "sacred service"? If so, may you do so in the spirit expressed at Second Corinthians 13:11: "Finally, brothers, continue to rejoice, to be readjusted, to be comforted, to think in agreement, to live peaceably; and the God of love and of peace will be with you."

    -V

Share this

Google+
Pinterest
Reddit