This article could be seen as a nice read compared with the banality and repetitiveness of many articles in recent years. However, several areas in the article still troubled me.
Paragraph one externalises the cause of an individual’s anxiety to Satan the Devil. This immediately get’s the reader to focus on a source of the problem which is not subject to any mitigating influence. Similarly, paragraph two points to a “loving heavenly Father” making it “possible for us to gain considerable relief”.
Thus, right at the very outset of the article, the organisation itself is excused from any responsibility or culpability in engendering anxiety in its affiliates. So too does it de facto distances itself from being a source of solution and instead devolves this to the “Father”.
The introductory two paragraphs remind me of a negative first century figure. I would borrow his name to describe the GBoJW’s self-absolution from responsibility for causing anxiety among affiliates. The name I would incorporate into a group of behaviours which typify the paradigm of the GBoJW in many respects. The name/term is that of "Pontius Pilate Syndrome". So chosen because in this article, they are washing their hands of any responsibility for anxiety experiences by JW’s and similarly, do not reform the organisation to make it convergent with what they falsely claim it to be – a loving brotherhood!
Paragraph five recommends the reading of scripture as a means of assuaging anxiety. I would agree and cite page 755 of Insight Vol II regarding reading and meditating upon scripture....
"The help of God’s spirit is necessary for real discernment and understanding of God’s Word. (1Co 2:9-16) To get understanding and other benefits, a person must approach the reading of God’s Word with an open mind, throwing aside all prejudice and preconceived opinions; otherwise his understanding will be veiled.... Superficial reading is not enough. The reader must put his heart into it, be absorbed in study of the material, meditate deeply upon it, and seek to benefit from it personally. "
Trouble with this sage advice in the WT and Insight volume is that it places you in conflict with the organisation. This is because through time one discerns the organisation is becoming more and more divergent from scripture. Increasingly, it is the GBoJW (the self proclaimed F&DS) which is ascending in importance and the teachings of JC being de facto and de jure discounted.
Paragraph 6 is a very rare exception to the pattern of the GBoJWs self elevation and Christ being discounted however. This paragraph describes Jesus' concern and intervention. Whilst this paragraph is a pleasant read, yet the organisation behind its authoring projects a strong paradigm of corporate productivity (ministry hrs, RV's, BS, meetings, participation) and is remote from Jesus' thinking. Perhaps this is a reason behind the withdrawal of the WT statement of purpose from Jan 2013 onwards wherein it was claimed - "It adheres to the Bible as its authority."
That meetings are a means of individuals' obtaining help with anxiety in paragraph 18 is quite absurd. Were this really the case then individuals would be flocking to the meetings. As such, in the UK and many developed lands, people are voting with their feet. The content of the meetings are essentially repetitive, centralised (and thus remote from local needs), with speakers who are selected on the basis of ministry hours rather than their oratory skills, spirituality, love of scripture, or emotional intelligence. Why would you really go to a KH if you have anxiety? Why?
I have not experienced the “interchange of encouragement” mentioned in paragraph 18. Those in a position of leadership are focussed on themselves and the perceived importance of their roles. Thus, in terms of giving encouragement they are just not CAPACITOUS! This lack of encouragement filters down to congregations. So rather than encouragement, too many today encounter the proverbial cold shoulder or even shunning. For this to happen you don't have to be DF’d, DA’d, or reproved in any way. In fact, this behavioural profile on the part of congregations only serves to strengthen and legitimise an individual's increasing distance from the organisation.
The article mentions the fruitage of the spirit, and the help of Jesus Christ. However, this is in reality, the poorest quality of veneers and is quite disingenuous. Were a JW to be anxious due to being ill and hospitalised, the concern would be that s(he) complete a blood form and abstain from any blood transfusions. Indeed, the anxiety of being spiritually policed, and of treatment options being restricted by Watchtower Mutawa, would likely prolong or complicate the individual's hospital stay.
So much of the article is a nice read. But coming from the WT with their record undermines that very message in the article. It's somewhat like Trump, Erdogan, Duterte, or Órban preaching love, peace and tranquility!