'How to Cope With Negative Feelings' WT April 15

by ISP 17 Replies latest jw friends

• 

  ISP

  Watchtower, April 15, 2001 page 23,

  ‘ But I am constantly with you; you have taken hold of my right hand. With your counsel you will lead me, and afterward you will take me even to glory. (Psalm 73:23-24) One Christian who was abused as a child learned the wisdom of these words, “Keeping in close association with the congregation,” she says, “showed me a different side to life. I saw very clearly that the Christian elders were loving, that they were not policemen but shepherds.”Yes, compassionate Christian elders play a vital role in dispelling damaging emotions.-Isaiah 32:1,2; 1 Thessalonians 2:7,8.'
  (end of quote)

  A number of issues arise…….. I would not consider distress arising from child abuse ‘negative’ and need only symptomatic treatment, i.e. need ‘dispelling’. No mention of professional help such as counselling. Also will the highlighted portion at the end of the quote perpetuate the situation where elders, able or not, are seen by themselves and others in the congregation as scripturally THE people to go to, when clearly the subject matter is beyond the ability of most congregational elders to deal with.

  ISP

  Edited by - ISP on 10 March 2001 8:52:39

  Edited by - ISP on 10 March 2001 12:12:47
• 

  somebody

  “Keeping in close association with the congregation,” she says, “showed me a different side to life. I saw very clearly that the Christian elders were loving, that they were not policeman but shepherds.”

  That sentence leaves a lot to be desired too. More than likely, the elders never told her to go to the police to see what the statute of limitations was on reporting such abuse to the proper authorities, to see if she could bring the perpetrator to justice. Although, they might have if the perpetrator was a worldling.

  peace,
  somebody

  Edited by - somebody on 10 March 2001 11:34:15

  Edited by - somebody on 11 March 2001 7:3:3
• 

  Fredhall

  One way to avoid negative feelings is to keep away from apostate materials.
• 

  LovesDubs

  ...which obviously Freddy is incapable of doing for himself.

  Loves
  "My task is to bear witness to the truth. For this was I born for this I came into the world, and ALL who are not deaf to truth listen to my voice" - Jesus before Pilate, John 18:37
• 

  RedhorseWoman

  This is such total crap. Unfortunately, the R&F are taught that elders are God's representatives, and as such, are all-wise and all-knowing, and can assist in any crisis. Once again, if a person goes to the elders with a problem and receives no relief, they will most likely castigate themselves for being weak in faith.

  The reality is that, while there may be elders who are compassionate and caring, they DO NOT have the training to differentiate between a serious emotional problem and one that is relatively minor. They DO NOT have the knowledge or training to counsel someone who is going through a crisis.

  This advice is worthless at the very least, and in many cases is downright dangerous.
• 

  ozziepost

  Thanks ISP,

  I found it significant that it was not until the final paragraph and for just one sentence is this point made:

  "To that end, meditate on Jehovah's supreme act of love in providing the ransom for you." (p24)

  I would have thought that this should have received priority in any article that deals with Christian salvation. But, then again, the problem is that those with negative feelings cannot have a personal relationship with Christ except through and with the organisation (or so we are told!).

  Cheers,

  Ozzie (of the freedom in Christ for all class)
• 

  ICHING

  Is a negative feeling of less merit than a positive one?

  Here in reality it isn't.

  ICHING

  The obvious lose, the inscrutable win.
• 

  ISP

  Hi all

  I have found the reference to 'policemen' puzzling. It doesn't seem to fit in the context. It seems the WTS is promoting the idea that the elders are better people to deal with because of the perceived scriptural position they have as oppose to 'policemen' who are unlikely to be loving!

  I have to say in the context of the recent child abuse issues with the WTS, promoting this idea is dangerous.

  ISP
• 

  ozziepost

  Welcome Iching. Glad to have you on board, so to speak.

  In your post, are you preaching about ying and yang, the balance between good and evil?

  If so, I'm sorry, but you will not find Jehovah's way is there.

  Ozzie
• 

  ozziepost

  G'day ISP,

  They seem to be acknowledging that there is a common way of referring to elders as "spiritual policemen".

  Ozzie