Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2022
Thursday, September 15, 2022
Jehovah's words have caused people to insult and mock me all day long (Jer. 20:8).
The prophet Jeremiah had to preach in extremely difficult territory. He was so discouraged that he was about to throw in the towel. But he didn't. Why not? He himself explained that “the words of the Lord” became like a fire in his heart that he could not contain (Jer. 20:9). And the same will happen to us if we fill our minds and hearts with the Word of God. That is one more reason to study it every day and meditate on it. Then we will enjoy preaching more and may even have better results (Jer. 15:16). So, whatever it is that brings us down, let us tell Jehovah exactly how we feel and ask for his help. He will help us deal with our imperfections, weaknesses, and illnesses, help us have a balanced view of our responsibilities and assignments, and help us view ministry with a positive attitude. Thanks to him, we can overcome discouragement. w20.12 27 paras. 20, 21
What made Cindy feel happy despite being very sick?
Cindy, who lives in Mexico, was diagnosed with a disease that could cost her her life. How did you deal with the situation? While receiving treatment, he made it a goal to testify every day. She writes: “That allowed me to focus on others instead of the operation, the pain or the horrible discomfort I was feeling. This is what he did: while talking to the doctors or nurses, he asked them about their families. He would then ask them why they had chosen such a demanding job. This made it easy for me to find topics that might interest them. Several told me that it was not very common for a patient to ask how they were doing, and many thanked me for the interest. Some even gave me their contact information. During this difficult time in my life, Jehovah made me feel so profoundly happy that even I was surprised.”—Prov. 15:15.
How do some brothers suffering from illness or the infirmities of age manage to continue preaching, and with what results?
There are brothers who, due to illness or the infirmities of age, cannot do as much as they would like in the ministry, and this makes them feel discouraged. Still, many manage to find ways to preach. In the United States, a sister named Laurel spent 37 years in an iron lung. In addition, he went through cancer and several major operations, and suffered from various chronic skin diseases. Despite being in such an extreme situation, he never stopped preaching. She witnessed to the nurses and aides who came to her home to attend to her. He helped at least 17 people become Jehovah's Witnesses.
An elder in France named Richard has a very helpful suggestion for those who are homebound or in some kind of nursing home: “I recommend that you have a few posts on display. When people pass by, they get curious and ask questions. This leads to conversations that can greatly encourage our dear brothers who are no longer able to preach from house to house.” Those who are confined to their homes can also participate in the preaching by letter and by telephone.
All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2020 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.
Comments
Post a Comment