LIVING AS CHRISTIANS: Week of October 28 to November 3, 2024, Do you know how far you can go? Video: We can do a lot for Jehovah if we are reasonable with ourselves. Analysis and Answers.

LIVING AS CHRISTIANS:  October 28-November 3, 2024, Do you know how far you can go? Video: We can do a lot for Jehovah if we are reasonable with ourselves. Analysis and Answers.

Do you know how far you can go? (15 mins.) Audience discussion.

Play the VIDEO We can do much for Jehovah if we are reasonable with ourselves. Then ask:

What does Jehovah expect of us? (Mic 6:8)

Jehovah expects us to act justly, love kindness, and walk modestly with Him, according to Micah 6:8. This includes being reasonable with ourselves. If we are modest, we will not demand more from ourselves than we can give, recognizing our limitations. In this way, we will be able to do much for Jehovah without becoming exhausted or overwhelmed.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

Jehovah expects us to do what is right, to be kind, and to walk humbly with him. This means that he does not ask us to do things that are beyond our reach or to burden ourselves with too many responsibilities. What matters to him is that we do our part sincerely and willingly, doing what we can within our possibilities and always with a humble heart.

According to Micah 6:8, this means acting fairly and kindly in our relationships, valuing and showing loyalty, and humbly acknowledging our limitations, trusting in Jehovah rather than relying on our own strength alone. In essence, he wants us to cultivate a close and sincere relationship with him, based on our qualities and genuine commitment.

It is important to be mindful of modesty and our limitations when serving Jehovah because it helps us maintain emotional, spiritual, and physical balance. When we are reasonable with ourselves, we avoid burnout and unrealistic expectations. This allows us to enjoy our service to Jehovah and remain faithful in the long run. Also, by acknowledging our limitations, we rely more on Jehovah, allowing us to rely on his strength and not just our own, which is essential for perseverance in service.

Jehovah values ​​sincerity more than quantity. It is not about how many things we do, but about doing what we do with a sincere heart and with the intention of pleasing Him. The important thing is that each one does the best he can within his capabilities. Being balanced is part of what Jehovah expects. Walking humbly with God implies recognizing our limitations and not demanding more from ourselves than we can do. Jehovah wants us to be happy and calm, not overwhelmed by meeting expectations that do not fit our reality.

How did the young woman manage to stop being so worried about achieving her goal?

Until she reached her goal, she focused on what was within her reach. For example, trying to understand the people in the area in order to help them and concentrating on applying the advice the elders had given her about not demanding more of herself than she could give.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

In the video, the young woman was able to stop worrying so much about reaching her goal by applying the advice to be more reasonable with herself. Instead of focusing on what she couldn't do, she began to concentrate on small steps that were within her reach and on helping others. This more balanced attitude allowed her to feel less overwhelmed and at peace, recognizing that Jehovah values ​​her sincere and realistic effort, not perfection.

By trying to better understand the people in his territory, the person showed empathy and focused on what he could really do to help them. In addition, by applying the elders’ advice not to push himself beyond his ability to give, he avoided emotional or physical exhaustion, which allowed him to serve with joy and effectiveness. Thus, by not focusing on what he could not control, he was able to achieve better results in his service to Jehovah.

The young woman realized that she was putting a lot of pressure on herself, trying to meet a goal that she felt was too much when she thought about it. She understood that it was not necessary to be perfect or do everything at once to please Jehovah. She began to adjust her expectations by accepting her limitations and focusing on doing what she could without comparing herself to others or demanding too much of herself. In this way, she was able to feel calmer and enjoy her service to Jehovah, without worrying so much. 

She realized that comparing herself to others was not healthy. The young woman understood that she did not have to measure her success or progress based on what others did. Instead, she began to focus on what she could contribute based on her own circumstances and abilities. She accepted that goals can be adjusted according to circumstances. The young woman learned that goals are not rigid and that it is okay to adapt them to her reality. In doing so, she felt a relief because she saw that Jehovah appreciates her effort regardless of the pace or how much she achieves at a given time.

ANSWERS BASED ON THE BOX: HOW TO KNOW HOW FAR WE CAN GO.

First of all, we should not compare ourselves with others. For this reason, Galatians 6:4 says that we should focus on our own progress, instead of measuring our achievements by comparing ourselves with those of others. It is better to focus on what we can do with our own abilities and circumstances. We all have different abilities, so the important thing is to evaluate our personal effort and feel satisfied with our own achievements. 

Let us avoid the unnecessary pressure of comparing ourselves with others, since we can end up feeling pressured or discouraged if we cannot do the same as them. Jehovah values ​​our individual effort, regardless of whether it is more or less than that of others, so we must focus on doing the best we can, without worrying about what others are doing.

Secondly, we must not let our comfort zone be our limits. For this reason, Romans 12:1 and 1 Corinthians 7:31 advise us to try new things, since in order to grow it is normal to feel insecure when trying something new, but leaving the comfort zone can open opportunities that we never imagined. Sometimes what seems difficult at first can turn out to be a blessing and a way to strengthen our faith and service to Jehovah. 

We must also trust that Jehovah supports us. Even when something seems beyond our reach, we trust that Jehovah will give us the strength and support we need. If we try with a willing heart, he promises to bless those who serve him with sincerity and effort, and sometimes that means going a step beyond what we think we can do.

Thirdly, what we can do is set short-term goals to test ourselves. Small goals lead to big achievements, by setting short-term goals we can see if something is feasible for us without feeling overwhelmed. It's like a rehearsal that allows us to evaluate our capabilities and decide if we can take the next step without compromising our well-being. 

We can also celebrate each advance, even if we discover that we cannot reach a bigger goal, everything we achieve in the process is still valuable, these experiences help us to know ourselves better and see what we can adjust or improve in the future and they are a source of satisfaction, because they reflect effort and personal growth.

Fourth, we are encouraged to be willing to adapt. To do this, our goals must be flexible as our circumstances, such as health, work, or family, change. It is natural that we may need to adjust our goals. This does not mean that we have failed, but that we are being reasonable and balanced by adapting our goals to what we can realistically do at the time. Accepting change is a sign of wisdom, recognizing that circumstances change and that goals can change as well. It is a sign of maturity, since adapting is not giving up, but being smart in how we use our energies and resources to continue serving Jehovah in the best way possible.