Comments You Will Not Hear at the 10-19-03 WT Study Review comments will be in black and parentheses () WT quotes will be in red and quotes ""
Quotes from other sources will be in blue
TRUST IN
IN TIMES OF DISTRESS
"God is for us a refuge and strength, a help that is readily to be foundduring distresses.
-PSALM 46:1. (NWT)God is a safe place to hide, ready to help when we need him.--PSALM 46:1 (MSG)
Opening Comments
This article is designed to "encourage" in the way only the WTS can. The WTS encourages chastises the faithful in 3 areas, economic, health, and personal failings.
There are several excellent guilt-making segments. Although this article uses the phrase "trust in Jehovah" or an equivalent over 19 times, trust in the WTS is really the theme.
Matthew 23:3 (MSG)
You won't go wrong in following their teachings on Moses. But be careful about following them. They talk a good line, but they don't live it. They don't take it into their hearts and live it out in their behavior. It's all spit-and-polish veneer.
START OF ARTICLE
It is one thing to claim that we trust in God. It is quite another to show it by our actions.
Translation: Meeting attendance and field service hours are dropping. We must "motivate" the flock.
For example, the phrase "In God We Trust" has long appeared on U.S. paper currency and coins. In 1956, the U.S. Congress passed a law declaring that expression the national motto of the United States. Ironically, many people - not just in that land but throughout the world - put greater trust in money and material wealth than they do in God.
What proof, statistics, articles, etc., does the WTS provide here? Another sweeping condemnation of the human race who aren't JWs.
As true Christians, we must do more than simply say
that we trust in Jehovah.Just as "faith without works is dead," so too any claim that we trust in God is meaningless unless we back it up by our actions. (James 2:26)
In the preceding article, we learned that our trust in Jehovah is manifested when we turn to him in prayer, when we seek direction from his Word, and when we look to his organization for guidance.
When a Job Is Lost or Income Is Meager
In these "critical times," we as Christians face the same economic pressures that other people do. (2 Timothy 3:1) I thought the WTS tells JWs that they are better off because they are true Christians? Hence, we may suddenly find ourselves laid off our job. Or we may have little choice but to work long hours for meager returns . Under such circumstances, we might find it difficult to 'provide for those who are our own.' (1 Timothy 5:8) Translation: How can you attend all five meetings, prepare, put in the national average in the ministry (10 hours), study the WT publications each week with your children and still have four jobs (see account later in the article) and make ends meet? Is the Most High God willing to help us at such times? Most definitely! Of course, Jehovah does not shield us from all the hardships of life in this system of things. One way to demonstrate our trust in Jehovah is by turning to him in prayer. But what can we pray for? Yes, ask Jehovah for wisdom - the ability to put knowledge, understanding, and discernment to good use - so as to make sound decisions and right choices (as determined by the WTS) Looking to God's Word (as interpreted by WTS publications) for guidance is another way of showing that we trust in Jehovah .Wise King Solomon observed long ago: "Sweet is the sleep of the one serving, regardless of whether it is little or much that he eats; but the plenty belonging to the rich one is not permitting him to sleep." (Ecclesiastes 5:12) It takes time and money to fix, clean, maintain, and protect our material possessions. So faced with the loss of a job, we might take the opportunity to reexamine our life-style, trying to distinguish needs from wants.
Translation : Materialism is rampant. JWs are spending too much on personal wants and not contributing to the WTS. After all, how are they going to pay for the $50 million expansion project in Wallkill? To reduce anxiety, it may be wise to make some changes. For example, is it possible to simplify our life, perhaps moving to a smaller dwelling or eliminating unnecessary material possessions?-Matthew 6:22.Is the WTS moving to a smaller dwelling?
What are unnecessary material possessions in the opinion of the WTS?
Jesus knew that imperfect humans are naturally concerned about obtaining basic necessities. How, though, can we "stop being anxious" about such things? "Keep on. seeking first the kingdom," said Jesus. No matter what problems we encounter, we must continue giving Jehovah's worship priority in life. Translation: The reason meeting attendance is down is because JWs are getting materialistic. What are unbasic necessities? 11/15/98 WT p 26 basic necessities as food, clothing, or essential medical care 10/15/82 WT p 3 SUFFICIENT food to eat, pure water to drink, suitable clothing to wear and a house to live in?these are basic necessities of life. If we do so , then all our daily necessities "will be added" to us by our heavenly Father . In one way or another , he will make it possible for us to keep going.--Matthew 6:33.Translation: Daily necessities as defined by the WTS through their representatives the DO, CO, and elders.
"In one way or another" by the elders helping you fill out your welfare forms.
10/15/86 WT p 17-18 Do More Than Say: "Keep Warm and Well Fed" " Their believing relatives were primarily responsible to help them; neglecting that duty could damage the relatives? standing with God. If, though, a needy and deserving widow could not obtain help in this way, it was possible for the elders to arrange for some material aid from the congregation. In recent times, too, some congregations have aided especially needy ones in their midst. However, most lands now have tax-supported programs for the aged, infirm, or those willing but unable to find work. Christian elders may want to help in another way though. Some who are in genuine need and who fully qualify for public benefits are not receiving such because they do not know how to apply or are too timid to ask. Thus elders may inquire of governmental agencies or contact Witnesses who are experienced in these matters. They then may arrange for a capable brother or sister to help the needy person to receive the available benefits. Jesus offered this further piece of advice: "Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties." (Matthew 6:34) It is not wise to be unduly anxious about what tomorrow may bring. Definition of unduly Entry: unduly Definition: excessively Synonyms: disproportionately, ever, extravagantly , extremely, illegally, immensely, i mmoderately , improperly, indecorously, inordinately, over, overfull, overly, overmuch , too, underhandedly, unfairly, unjustifiably, unjustly, unnecessarily, unreasonably One scholar noted: "The future of reality is seldom as bad as the future of our fears."Find out who scholar is. http://www.applebychurch.ca/worry.htm
Humbly heeding the Bible's advice to keep our priorities in clear focus and to live one day at a time can help us to avoid undue anxiety.-1 Peter 5:6, 7.Yes, it worked for this sister who wrote to the WTS.
7/22/00 Awake p. 30 From Our Readers I?m a wife and a mother of three children. Because my husband is out of work, we have no income and no health insurance. But the story of JoAnn and her family has helped me to deal with life one day at a time. (Matthew 6:34) Thank you for reminding me not to rely on myself but to look to Jehovah for the strength to cope.When encountering financial distress, we can also show our trust in Jehovah by looking to the publications of "the faithful and discreet slave" for help. (Matthew 24:45)Why not go to a secular source? Is the WTS an expert in finding jobs? What job hunting has the GB or Bethelites done recently?
From time to time, the Awake! magazine has featured articles containing helpful tips and suggestions for dealing with economic challenges. The article "Out of a Job - What Are the Solutions?" in the August 8, 1991, issue outlined eight practical guidelines that have helped many to keep financially and emotionally stable when faced with a period of unemployment. 8/8/91 p. 6 Out Of a Job?What Are the Solutions? *** 1. Do Not Panic Rather than flooding the mind with worst-case scenarios, calmly work at productive solutions. 2. Think Positive Jim and Donna have four part-time jobs between them. However, they earn less than Jim alone earned at his previous full-time job. In spite of this, they have accepted it as a teaching experience for their five children. Donna stated: "Without the problems they?d have been better off in a material way. But they?d have missed the pitfalls that teach you how to live."Then should we reason that people would be better off getting a serious illness than being healthy or losing a limb would make a person appreciate the other limb?
James 1:13 (NWT)When under trial, let no one say: "I am being tried by God." For with evil things God cannot be tried nor does he himself try anyone. 3. Open Your Mind to New Types of Work So open your mind to the possibility of new types of work,? such as housecleaning.
Only housecleaning was suggested??!!!!
4. Live Within Your Means?Not Someone Else?s A friend takes an expensive trip. Suddenly you need a vacation . You only need to worry about food and shelter. The rest is truly irrelevant.Yes, and the elders are going to tell us how they walked one way to the meetings.
5. Be Careful With Credit 6. Keep the Family United Even a seemingly close-knit couple may have widely different views of money and how it should be spent. One may be a fanatical saver, the other a voracious spender. Translation: The wife is living beyond the family?s means, shopping till she drops. And while discussing financial matters, try to understand and accommodate your mate?s views. Translation: As the family head, the husband tells his wife what she can spend, that she must check with him on every expenditure. 7. Keep Your Self-Esteem While being an honest, trustworthy worker may keep a person from being laid off, this is not always the case . So one need not take being laid off as a personal affront to his worth. Valued, reliable workers may be affected too. 8. Set Up a Budget Of course, such guidelines must be balanced with a proper view of the true importance of money . This was discussed in the article "Something More Vital Than Money," which appeared in the same issue.--Ecclesiastes 7:12.When Distressed by Health Problems
Is it realistic to trust in Jehovah in the face of serious illness? Absolutely! Jehovah feels for sick ones among his people. More than that, he is willing to help. Consider, for example, King David. "Jehovah himself will sustain him upon a divan of illness; all his bed you will certainly change during his sickness." (Psalm 41:1, 3, 7; 8) David's trust in God remained strong, and finally the king recovered from his illness. How, though, can we display trust in God when we are distressed by health problems? When stricken by illness , one way to show our trust in Jehovah is by beseeching him in prayer for help to endure. We may ask him to help us use "practical wisdom" so that we may seek the level of health that our circumstances realistically allow. (Proverbs 3:21)And what is "the level of health that our circumstances realistically allow"? In whose judgment? The self-proclaimed physicians that some elders think they are?
We may also ask him to help us exercise patience and endurance so as to put up with the illness . Above all, we would want to ask that Jehovah sustain us, giving us the strength to keep faithful to him and not lose our balance, no matter what may happen. (Philippians 4:13) Maintaining our integrity to God is even more important than preserving our present life. (better to neglect health since will be resurrected anyway as suggested below) If we keep our integrity , the Great Rewarder will give us an eternity of perfect life and health.-Hebrews 11:6. Our trust in Jehovah also moves us to look to his Word, the Bible, for practical guidance. The principles found in the Scriptures can help us to make wise decisions when it comes to medical treatment . For instance, knowing that the Bible condemns the "practice of spiritism," we would avoid any diagnostic or therapeutic procedure that involves spiritism.I have heard of JWs going to Mexico for treatments with magnets, being waved over the body. The FDA shut down this operation.
Look at these medical treatments sought out by JWs.
12/15/94 WT p 19 A Health Test for You?Dear Brothers: I would like your opinion. A [certain health practitioner] seems to have good success, but a method she uses makes me suspicious. . . . By examination she determines what is wrong. Then to find out what kind of medicine or how much of it to use, she puts a medicine bottle next to the skin near a gland or an organ. She tries to pull down the patient?s raised arm. The kind of medicine or the amount of it is determined by the force she needs to pull the arm down. The theory is that electrons, like a current, travel from the medicine through the metal cap of the bottle to a body part, strengthening it. Is this like water witching?However, some muscle testing goes beyond this. Consider what is termed "surrogate testing." This might be practiced in the case of an old person or a baby too weak to be tested. While a surrogate touches the baby, the practitioner tests the surrogate?s arm. This has even been applied to pets; the surrogate?s arm is tested while he is resting a hand on the collie, German shepherd, or other sick pet.It is not for us to judge such actions, but you might ask, ?Are bodily forces behind these effects?? Scientists have proved the existence of cosmic rays, microwaves, and various types of electromagnetic radiation. Yet, do all creatures, even infants and house pets, have within them forces that can flow out and produce a testable effect on a second person? The Babylonians thought that forces could flow out to and affect a sheep. You might ask yourself, ?Do I believe that something similar can happen with humans or animals today? Or might the effects have another explanation??Some healers claim to measure a person?s "forces" with such devices as metal spirals or pendulums. These supposedly move as the healer?s "energy field" interacts with that of the patient. One practitioner and writer in this field, who had once been a research scientist, sometimes diagnoses with the use of a pendulum. She also asserts that she can visualize "the human energy field" or colored aura said to surround individuals. She claims to use "internal vision" to look into a body to see tumors, blood cells, or microbes, and to view the past. Here is another example of the Bible's trustworthy wisdom: "Anyone inexperienced puts faith in every word, but the shrewd one considers his steps." (Proverbs 14:15) Hence, when contemplating medical treatment, we are wise to seek reliable information rather than putting "faith in every word."
Reliable information, from the Watchtower? Why not go directly to the doctors, medical professionals. Why use the WT as a go-between? Is it like having to go through the WTS to get to Jesus or God?
Such "soundness of mind" can help us to weigh our options carefully and to make an informed decision.-Titus 2:12 .An informed decision guided by the WTS.
We may also manifest our trust in Jehovah by searching the publications of the faithful slave. The Watchtower and Awake! magazines have occasionally published informative articles on a wide variety of specific health problems and diseases. At times, these journals have featured articles by individuals who have successfully coped with various disorders, ailments, and disabilities . In addition, certain articles have offered Scriptural suggestions as well as practical advice on how to live with chronic health problems.After directing JWs to them as guides, the WTS makes this disclaimer.
Footnote These Bible-based journals do not endorse or promote any particular medical treatment, recognizing that this is a matter for personal decision. Rather, articles that discuss specific illnesses or disorders are intended to inform readers of the facts as they are currently known.Currently "known" by whom, doctors, medical researchers? Then why not go directly to the source, medical journals, medical websites on the Internet, your own physician? Why filter it through the WTS?
For example, the January 22, 2001, issue of Awake! featured the cover series "Comfort for the Sick." The articles presented helpful Bible principles as well as firsthand information gleaned from interviews with knowledgeable individuals who have lived with disabling illness for many years. The article "Living Successfully With Your Ailment - How?" offered the following advice: Learn as much as you reasonably can about your illness. (Proverbs 24:5) Set practical goals, including goals to help others (yes, don't forget field service when you can hardly hold your head up), but realize that you may not be able to reach the same goals that others can. (Acts 20:35; Galatians 6:4) Avoid social isolation. (Proverbs 18:1) Make visiting you a pleasant experience for others (yes, if no one drops by see you it is your fault) . (Proverbs 17:22) Above all, maintain a close bond with Jehovah and with the congregation. (Nahum 1:7; Romans 1:11, 12) Are we not grateful for the trustworthy guidance Jehovah provides through his organization?1/22/01 Awake p 6 Living Successfully With Your Ailment?How?
Guilt-making Experience #1 Likewise, accepting your illness is no failure, but it means "advancing in a new direction," as a chronically ill woman observed. For the past 25 years, multiple sclerosis has weakened her muscles. First, she used a walker to keep going. Afterward, when she lost control of her right hand, she switched to using her left one. Next, her left hand gave out. Then, some eight years ago, she could no longer walk. Now she needs to be washed, fed, and dressed by others I ask a visiting nurse to hold the newspaper for me. Together we read the obituaries and select some. Then I tell the nurse what thoughts I would like to include in a letter to the relatives of the one who died, and the nurse types the letter. With the letter, I send the brochure When Someone You Love Dies, which explains the Bible?s comforting hope of the resurrection. I do this every Sunday afternoon. It makes me happy that I can still share the good news of God?s Kingdom with others." Guilt-making Experience #2 No matter how small a goal may seem, reaching it motivates you to do more," says Lex, living in the Netherlands. More than 20 years ago, at the age of 23, he was in an accident that left him paralyzed Indeed, with the support of his wife, Tineke, Lex reached greater goals. For instance, accompanied by Tineke, he now makes house-to-house calls in a wheelchair to share Bible knowledge with others. He also makes weekly visits to encourage a severely disabled man with whom he studies the BibleNow how can we make it the sick person's fault that no one is visiting them. Didn?t the shepherd go and find the lost sheep rather than waiting for them to come looking for him?
Stay in touch with others. . Medical studies show that having social contacts is good for your health. However, as noted in the preceding article, the problem may be that some of your friends have stopped visiting you .Make visiting you a pleasant experience. You can do so by limiting your discussions about your illness so that your visitors do not grow weary of hearing about it.
Maintaining a good sense of humor will also make it pleasant for your friends to stop by.
Being at the meetings at the Kingdom Hall keeps my mind focused on positive things and not on my illness.Having a close bond with Jehovah God and associating with the Christian congregation are sources of comfort and strength.
When A Fleshly Weakness Persists "In my flesh, there dwells nothing good," wrote the apostle Paul. (Romans 7:18) Paul knew firsthand how difficult it can be to struggle against the desires and weaknesses of the imperfect flesh. However, Paul also had confidence that he could prevail. (1 Corinthians 9:26, 27) How? By trusting implicitly in Jehovah .
What about us? We too have a battle against fleshly weaknesses. As we struggle to deal with such weaknesses, it is easy to lose confidence, becoming convinced that we can never succeed (in spite of being told weekly at the KH that we aren't doing enough). But Jehovah will help us if we, like Paul, truly rely on Him and not just on our own strength.
When a fleshly weakness persists, we can show that we trust in Jehovah by imploring him in prayer. We need to ask, even beg ( if God loves us why do you have to beg him, do we have to beg our earthly parents for help?) , Jehovah for the help of his holy spirit. (Luke 11:9-13) We can specifically ask for self-control, which is part of the fruitage of God's spirit. We can also show that we trust in Jehovah by searching his Word for help . (by using the Watch Tower Publications Index?!) Using a Bible concordance or the Watch Tower Publications Index, we can seek the answer to the question, 'How does Jehovah feel about the particular weakness that I am fighting?' Reflecting on how Jehovah feels about the matter (or rather how the WTS/elders feel about the matter) can strengthen our desire to please him. Thus, we may come to feel as he feels, hating what he hates. (Psalm 97:10) Some have found it helpful to commit to memory Bible texts that apply to the specific weakness they are fighting. Are we struggling to control a quick temper? Then we might memorize such texts as Proverbs 14:17 and Ephesians 4:31. Are we finding it difficult to guard our tongue (not talking about the child abuse problem in the organization)? We might learn by heart such texts as Proverbs 12:18 and Ephesians 4:29. Do we have a tendency toward unwholesome entertainment? We might try to remember such verses as Ephesians 5:3 and Colossians 3:5. VOMIT ALERT!!!! Seeking help from spirit-appointed elders in the congregation is a further way to demonstrate our reliance on Jehovah. (Acts 20:28) After all, these "gifts in men" are a provision from Jehovah through Christ to protect and care for his sheep. (Ephesians 4:4 8, 11-14) Granted, it may not be easy to ask for help in dealing with a weakness. We might be embarrassed, fearing that the elders will think less of us. But no doubt these spiritually mature men will respect us for having the courage to ask for help. Furthermore, the elders endeavor to reflect Jehovah's own qualifies in dealing with the flock. Their comforting, practical counsel and instruction from God's Word may be just what we need to strengthen our resolve enough to overcome our weakness.-James 5:14-16. Never forget that Satan knows that his time is short. (yes the end is near!) (Revelation 12:12) He wants to use the futility of life in this world to discourage us and make us give up. May we have full confidence in what is expressed at Romans 8:35-39: "Who will separate us from the love of the Christ? Will tribulation or distress or persecution or hunger or nakedness or danger or sword? . . . To the contrary; in all these things we are coming off completely victorious through him that loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God's love that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."Yes, nothing the WTS does will separate you from God, not shunning, marking, Dfing, labeling?.
Concluding CommentsI noted some interesting groups of phrases.
Personal decisions Reasoned decisions Sound decisions Right choices Wise decisionsAll based on the Bible WTS directives.
The WTS has the whip out again. Too many JWs are trusting in themselves placing too much importance on material things and overdramatizing their ailments. They are not listening to the WTS directives to simplify their lives and to give the money they save to the WTS. There is no excuse for not getting out in the ministry after the example of a paralyzed sister confined to bed and a paralyzed brother who goes in the ministry in a wheelchair! Shame, shame, shame on you.
Blondie (now I need a drink)