DAILY TEXT, Today Tuesday June 13, 2023, Pour out your heart before him (Ps. 62:8).

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Tuesday June 13

Pour out your heart before him (Ps. 62:8).

When someone you love leaves the truth, it is very important that you continue to strengthen your friendship with Jehovah and that of your family. How can you do it? Regularly reading and meditating on God's Word and attending meetings will help you keep your faith strong. Consider the example of Joanna. Her father and her sister left the truth. She recounts: “When I read about some biblical characters like Abigail, Esther, Job, Joseph and Jesus, I feel a great peace. Her examples fill my heart and mind with positive thoughts that soothe my pain. When you feel very distressed, do not stop praying to Jehovah. Pray to our loving God to help you see the situation as he sees it and to make you insightful and show you the way he should go (Ps. 32:6-8). Naturally, It may be too painful for you to tell him how you feel. But Jehovah understands it perfectly. He invites you to pour out his heart (Ex. 34:6; Ps. 62:7). w21.09 28 pars. 9, 10.

According to Hebrews 12:11, why should we trust in the discipline that Jehovah gives out of love? (See also the sidebar “Disfellowshipping Is a Show of Jehovah's Love.”)

Support the decision of the elders. Disfellowshipping is a loving measure that Jehovah has established for the good of all, including the person who has sinned.—Read Hebrews 12:11. Some may say that the elders were wrong to expel her, but remember that such people will surely avoid mentioning negative details about the expelled. The truth is that we do not have all the data. So it is best to trust that the elders who participated in the judicial committee did their best to follow Biblical principles and judge “for Jehovah” (2 Chron. 19:6).

How have some benefited from supporting Jehovah's discipline?

If you support the decision of the elders to expel your family member, it may help him to return to Jehovah. Elizabeth, mentioned in paragraph 4, admits: “It was very hard to completely cut off the relationship with our son, who was already an adult. But, when he returned to Jehovah, he admitted that he deserved the expulsion. And later he said that he had learned many valuable lessons. That made me appreciate Jehovah's discipline.” Her husband, whose name is Mark, adds: “Years later, our son told me that he had decided to come back in part because we had done exactly what we had to do. I am very grateful that Jehovah helped us to be obedient.”

What can help you cope with pain?

Talk to understanding friends. Spend time with mature Christians who can help you maintain a positive attitude (Prov. 12:25; 17:17). Joanna, mentioned in paragraph 9, comments: “The truth is that I felt very alone. But it helped a lot to talk to trusted friends.” Now, what can you do if a brother says something to you that makes you feel worse?

Why should we continue to put up with one another and forgive each other generously?

Be patient with siblings. Realistically, we can't expect everyone to always tell us the ideal words (Jas. 3:2). We're all imperfect, so don't be surprised if some don't know what to say or even say something hurtful to you unintentionally. Remember the advice of the Apostle Paul: “Keep putting up with one another and forgiving generously even if someone has a reason to complain about another” (Col. 3:13). A sister who has a family member who was disfellowshipped explains: “Jehovah has helped me forgive brothers who tried to do what was right but failed because of imperfection.” Now let's see what the congregation can do to help faithful family members.

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