Bitterness should be seen as a natural, understandable reaction without any need to apologize for it. It shouldn't be allowed to swallow you up but it still serves an emotional purpose.
True!
Alive!
JoinedPosts by Alive!
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36
How do stop myself getting too Bitter?
by stuckinarut2 inyou know, i always maintained that during this fading process, and while learning ttatt, i would not let myself get "bitter twisted and angry".... but, in all honesty, if i examine myself, i have become quite bitter toward the org, toward the false friends and the gb.. i have become angry as i see the extent of damage i feel being raised in "the truth" has done.... i feel hurt towards the lost opportunities in life etc.... how do i not allow myself to get too swallowed up by such bitterness?.
i have always been a very happy, positive, selfless person.
i can put people at ease, i am someone people feel comfortable chatting to.
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36
How do stop myself getting too Bitter?
by stuckinarut2 inyou know, i always maintained that during this fading process, and while learning ttatt, i would not let myself get "bitter twisted and angry".... but, in all honesty, if i examine myself, i have become quite bitter toward the org, toward the false friends and the gb.. i have become angry as i see the extent of damage i feel being raised in "the truth" has done.... i feel hurt towards the lost opportunities in life etc.... how do i not allow myself to get too swallowed up by such bitterness?.
i have always been a very happy, positive, selfless person.
i can put people at ease, i am someone people feel comfortable chatting to.
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Alive!
Being an XJW is like living life in the ocean with the tide rising and falling around you. One minute you're stuck in a trough of bad memories and sour feelings. But, the next minute you could be catching that Big Wave and surfing through life feeling excellent!
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48
How many here gave up having a family for the sake of the "truth"?
by stuckinarut2 inthis is a sensitive topic for many of us i know, but i am wondering how many here actually gave up the idea of having a family "in this system" for the sake of "kingdom activity or service"??.
start the count here with my wife and i.
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Alive!
Sparrowdown,
I remember many stories of those who "gave up family" for the religion. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
And the attraction of "family" that was promised, a global brotherhood .....using exactly that scripture.
I remember getting into the new habit of calling my Mother and Father and my non- witness friends "worldly".
My parents believed in God, lived exemplary lives - but just were not religious.
Worldly - yeah right.
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How many here gave up having a family for the sake of the "truth"?
by stuckinarut2 inthis is a sensitive topic for many of us i know, but i am wondering how many here actually gave up the idea of having a family "in this system" for the sake of "kingdom activity or service"??.
start the count here with my wife and i.
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Alive!
Myself....I can think of 5 couples from our congregation. Now aged in their late 50s to 60s.
However, they are all born in with loads of family.
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48
Struggling
by Alive! ini read here regularly and although i haven't joined in, i really appreciate all the wonderful contributions from those who are willing to share their experiences.... .
i was a convert.
i won't go into the whole history ( perhaps another day) - my story could easily be recognised in the small town where i live, with my husband.. so, we stopped going to the meetings around a period of time when we were going through severe emotional difficulties - at that point, we needed unconditional family love - the hectic, forced jw dinner parties and social occasions gave no real comfort.
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Alive!
A question.
How many of you have heard brothers and sisters talk about putting their songbook in the mailbox of a desirable property to "bag" it for the new system.
i have experienced hearing this in Europe and the other side of the world.
They were half joking. No- one left a songbook. But... These are their Christian thoughts????
The first time I heard this out on ministry I felt sick.
The last time was also my last time on ministry.... About 2-3 years ago?
A highly regarded, influential and popular family moved into our congregation.
Out on midweek ministry, the eldest son proposed leaving his songbook in a spectacular coastal property - his father chortled. I said I thought it was disgusting and walked away.
Last time on ministry. Another nail in the coffin. I knew I was done for!! LOL.
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48
Struggling
by Alive! ini read here regularly and although i haven't joined in, i really appreciate all the wonderful contributions from those who are willing to share their experiences.... .
i was a convert.
i won't go into the whole history ( perhaps another day) - my story could easily be recognised in the small town where i live, with my husband.. so, we stopped going to the meetings around a period of time when we were going through severe emotional difficulties - at that point, we needed unconditional family love - the hectic, forced jw dinner parties and social occasions gave no real comfort.
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Alive!
Hi everyone.
i have been reading and reading - each and everyone of you has left treasures.
I'm a little overwhelmed in being able to respond to so many - every single post has resonated with me.
WingCommander - Im so sorry for your nightmare existence within the religion - I don't know you, but I think of the many who suffer the same neglect in many, many congregations. In every congregation we have stayed in - there have been the impoverished and neglected.... Unless they were pioneering they got ZERO help.
"You must have been wealthy or well-off, or benefited them somehow I imagine to be so well thought of to be invited to everything before?"
I guess you got that one right. I suppose from day one, we were somewhat coveted. Apparently normal and successful youngish people in "the world" - and yes, in a decent financial position after being in the right place at the right time for work opportunities....
As I reflect on this life with the religion, I suspect it tapped into my core weaknesses and needs on one level, my inner childish desire for approval was not too healthy - whilst the hope that our earth has a purpose made my heart soar.
i have a tendency to idealism. LOL.
I wanted to be my brother's keeper. I stretched out for that. But looking back, I'm ashamed. I should have been stronger.
I WANTED a spiritual society of like minded people - I WANTED everyone, no matter what race or background to be brothers and sisters - from the socially and economically neediest to the more privileged. I wanted to stand shoulder to shoulder with fellow humans.
Initially - the appearance was of unity, brotherhood. Very quickly we were part of the "cool crowd" - your summary of the social structure and hierarchy rings very true.
The first niggle and shock we got - and this was in the first couple of years of conversion - was the cynical view many elders had of the R and F.
The stories, secrets and scandals that were told at those Elder drinking parties.... We should have run. But the power of the greater concept was so great.
The power of the prophecies, the power of that magical equation for 1914.....the rejection of pagan holidays, the rejection of burning hell - it was intoxicating.
Until one day.........
Sorry, this is brief and scrappy compared to all the fantastic posts here - I'm just tapping, tapping and please may I tell you all - you are ALL making a difference.
I do feel better today.
As Millie said -" I know where to assign craziness now."
I'm not defective. I may be broken, but I'm OK.
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Endure! Life is hard! Lost? We are Miserable ? Don't think so
by ducatijoe inits a rainy day and have been reading posts.. i would like to respond to the comments of those still in, post to those who have decided to leave.. what ever you have been told or may think about what will happen without "the truth" , is not true.
my life without the wbts is fantastic.
no stress, live in a beautiful place, great new friends and total peace of mind.
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Alive!
Azor,
A tough road for you and yours.
Thank God you are together as a family.
I can't imagine how hard this has been with your boy being so sick.
Good to hear you have access to decent medical care for your son, warm hugs to you and your wife - keep strong.
Yes, here's to a new life and new beginnings.
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Endure! Life is hard! Lost? We are Miserable ? Don't think so
by ducatijoe inits a rainy day and have been reading posts.. i would like to respond to the comments of those still in, post to those who have decided to leave.. what ever you have been told or may think about what will happen without "the truth" , is not true.
my life without the wbts is fantastic.
no stress, live in a beautiful place, great new friends and total peace of mind.
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Alive!
That's a very heartwarming post.
I remember a Sunday meeting where the speaker was talking about the protection of being in God's organisation..... "It's a jungle out there' he said.
I looked around that KH, at the strained faces, the dysfunctional family relationships, the lives of the lonely - "it's a jungle in here" came to mind - it didn't feel safe at all.
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Wife wants a Family Study after the special talk...but initially refuses Bible only study.
by garyneal inmy wife asked me to attend the special talk with her because she wants to attend something like this as a family and feels that she "enjoys worshipping together" as a family.
i have not been to church for at least a year and have pretty much abandoned the practicing of my faith but i can remember how i used to want to have a church going family so i obliged.
i feel kind of apprehensive about doing these things because she wants the kids and i to be on our best behavior and has even fussed at me for playing tablet games during other talks.
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Alive!
"Perhaps many of you, being or having been witnesses yourselves, can explain to me why a Bible study cannot be a simple reading of the Bible? During our argument I recall stating that if we had been a family that attended another church there is a good chance that we would have been okay with simply reading the Bible and asking for guidance from the Holy Spirit. Not these people, not my wife at least, to her it is impossible to learn anything about God from simply reading the Bible alone. Is it really a common viewpoint amongst witnesses? To a Christian who has been to protestant churches, this notion is absurd."
I'm sorry you are having to negotiate spiritual learning in your home - but, thank you, you've reminded me how Witnesses only trust the bible through the lens of the WBTS.
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Struggling
by Alive! ini read here regularly and although i haven't joined in, i really appreciate all the wonderful contributions from those who are willing to share their experiences.... .
i was a convert.
i won't go into the whole history ( perhaps another day) - my story could easily be recognised in the small town where i live, with my husband.. so, we stopped going to the meetings around a period of time when we were going through severe emotional difficulties - at that point, we needed unconditional family love - the hectic, forced jw dinner parties and social occasions gave no real comfort.
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Alive!
From that realization I could slowly start to trace back all the ridiculous pain filled moments and realize that I knew where to assign" the crazy" now.
I love this.
I never, ever dreamt one day.... This would be me. Reading this.I'm heading bobbing in true JW style!
All of you have been so kind. I'm going to go back and read all your responses again...they are so full of value. Thank you with all my heart.