TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD: Week of January 1 to 7, 2024, You can help those who are distressed, Prepared Speech.

TREASURES FROM GOD'S WORD: January 1-7, 2024, You can help those who are distressed, Prepared Speech. 

You can help those who are distressed (10 mins.).

We all feel weak sometimes. A flu or allergy can weaken us to the point of preventing us from carrying out daily activities. Now Imagine that you felt weak, not for a week or two, but for months. Wouldn't you appreciate it if others treated you with understanding?

Today we live in a competitive world where strength and youth are praised. Many will do whatever it takes to get their way, often trampling on the feelings of those who are weaker.

As servants of God, we are not like that. However, without realizing it, the world could influence us to act that way, we could develop a negative point of view about some members of the congregation who need help. How can we see them as Jehovah sees them?

Let's go to the case of Job, and see what we can learn about it, let's look, dear brothers, in our copy of the Bible and look together for the book of Job, chapter 33 and verse 1. If you found it, please join me in reading it, it says. ……………..

LET'S READ JOB 33:1.

”But now, Job, please hear my words; listen to everything I say.

What we read are the words of young Elihu who, unlike Job's friends, did not use flattering titles or flattery, but instead addressed Job with respect and empathy.

Elihu followed Jehovah's example, was positive and Impartial and focused on God's justice. Likewise, as we reach out to those who are distressed, let us remember to speak to them as true friends, focusing on love and understanding. This is precisely what Eliu did. Note what Job 33:6,7 says. If he found it, please accompany me with the reading, it says like this… .. 

LET'S READ JOB 33:6,7.

Look, to the true God, I am just like you; I was also formed from clay. 7 So you should not be terrified of me or feel crushed by the pressure of my words.

Eliu shows empathy towards Job, recognizing that he can also fail, since he too is made of clay. This is a reminder that we are all human and prone to weaknesses. Understanding and good judgment are essential when dealing with those experiencing adversity. 

Instead of judging, we should console, to understand it better, we can take the example of a medical team that does not ask about guilt, but rather rushes to cure the patient. So too, our focus should be on helping those facing difficulties.

The sisters who resist family opposition, the single mothers who do not stop attending meetings, or the young people who continue in the truth despite school pressures. Just like Eliu, let's listen to them carefully And think Before speaking: Let's read this in Job 33:8-12,17 it says like this...

LET'S READ JOB 33:8-12,17.

But you said in my presence, yes, I heard these words many times: 9 'I am pure, without offense; I am clean, without guilt. 10 But God finds reasons to oppose me,  he considers me his enemy. 11 He puts my feet in the stocks; he watches all my ways.'12 But you are not right in what you say; That's why he answered you: God is much greater than mortal man. 

17 to separate a man from his evil deeds  and protect him from his pride.

If you notice, Elihu's focus was to seek Jehovah's honor, not his own or others'. This example teaches us the importance of listening patiently and thinking carefully before speaking. We learn that our primary concern in counseling should be to honor Jehovah and not ourselves.  

As we can see in our corresponding activity guide this week, we see Elihu listening empathetically to Job, who is covered in ulcers. While Job vents, Elihu listens to him with empathy. This image is very moving, as it helps us visualize how Job felt; he had finally found a friend who would actually listen to him with empathy. And this is an extraordinary lesson that this story leaves us, that when we see a brother suffering, we must listen to him carefully, be empathetic and put ourselves in his shoes at that moment, so we will understand how he feels.

And that is what we can also see in the other image: A sister listens with empathy to a mother who is raising her children alone and feels overwhelmed while the children are playing in another room. This image teaches us that today we can also imitate Elihu's example. Let's remember that our words are powerful. Like apples of gold in silver ornaments, so is the word spoken at the opportune time. As mentioned in Proverb 25:11.

Brothers, our words can be precious and valuable, but only comforting and edifying. Let us listen and speak at the right time. Let us always remember that empathy, understanding and the importance of our words. Let us continue to be instruments of comfort and support in times of difficulty. Let us show praise to Jehovah through words that honor and glorify his Name.

Let's do everything possible to make those who are weak feel valued and loved. Let us never forget that when we help our brothers we feel the happiness that only comes from giving. But we are not the only ones who benefit, in fact the entire congregation becomes more loving. Most importantly, by helping those who are weak we imitate Jehovah, who considers each person valuable.