Yellow: Direct Response
Light Yellow: Additional Response
Light Blue: Additional Points
“Prove all things” (1 THES. 5:21).
1, 2. a) What doubts may arise? b) What will we see in this article?
EVERY person doubts sometimes. For example, imagine a young man who is not sure whether Jehovah notices him, and as a result he is hesitant to take the step of being baptized. Or think of a brother who, as a young man, decided to put Jehovah first instead of making a lot of money. However, you now have a family and feel like you don't have enough money to support them, so you may wonder if you made the right decision. One more example: an older sister who has little strength may feel discouraged because she can't do as much as she used to. You may have asked yourself questions like these: “Could it be that Jehovah notices me? Have the sacrifices I've made for him been worth it? Am I still useful to you?”
2 These negative thoughts can weaken our faith and even cause us to stop serving Jehovah. In this article, we will see how the Bible can help us if we think that Jehovah does not care about us, that the decisions we made in the past were not wise, or that we are no longer useful to Jehovah.
HOW WE CAN RESOLVE QUESTIONS
3. What will help us resolve our doubts?
3 If we have doubts, the Word of God will help us resolve them. Thanks to it, our faith in Jehovah and our friendship with him will become stronger, and we will be able to “stand firm in the faith” (1 Cor. 16:13).
4. How can we prove all things, as 1 Thessalonians 5:21 advises us?
4 (Read 1 Thessalonians 5:21). The Bible advises us: “Prove all things.” And how is that done? Well, by comparing what we think with what the Bible says. Consider, for example, a young man who is not sure whether Jehovah notices him. Should you remain in doubt? No, it is best to check all things by going to the Bible to see Jehovah's point of view.
5. How can we “listen” to the answers that Jehovah gives us?
5 When we read the Word of God, it is as if Jehovah spoke to us. But, to “hear” what it tells us about a certain doubt, we have to do something else. We have to look for biblical texts that talk about what concerns us and use the many study tools that the organization gives us to investigate the topic (Prov. 2:3-6). It is important that we ask Jehovah to guide our investigation and help us find answers. Let us extract biblical principles and seek information that is practical for our circumstances. It is also useful for us to analyze biblical accounts of people who went through similar situations.
6. How do meetings help us resolve our doubts?
6 We also “listen” to Jehovah in meetings. If we attend them regularly, we may hear in a speech or comment just what we need to resolve our doubt (Prov. 27:17). Now we are going to talk about some specific doubts that may arise and how to resolve them.
“Could it be that JEHOVAH IS INTERESTED IN ME?”
7. What might we ask ourselves?
7 Perhaps you have ever wondered if Jehovah pays attention to you. If you feel unimportant, the idea of being friends with the Creator of the universe may seem impossible, totally out of reach. Maybe King David thought the same. He was very surprised that Jehovah paid attention to simple human beings and so he asked: “O Jehovah, what is man that you take notice of him, the son of mortal man that you pay attention to him?” (Ps. 144:3). Let's see how to find the answer to that question.
8. According to 1 Samuel 16:6, 7, 10-12, what does Jehovah pay attention to?
8 The Bible shows us that Jehovah pays attention to those who may seem unimportant. For example, he sent Samuel to Jesse's house to anoint one of his sons as the future king of Israel. Jesse had seven of his sons pass before Samuel, but he did not include the youngest, who was David. b However, Jehovah had chosen just him! (Read 1 Samuel 16:6, 7, 10-12). Because? Because he had looked inside and seen that he was a young man who greatly valued spiritual things.
9. How can you be sure that Jehovah cares about you? (See also the image).
9 Consider what Jehovah has done to show that he cares about you. He gives you advice that fits perfectly with what you need (Ps. 32:8). To do this, you have to know it very well, don't you think? (Ps. 139:1). By applying this advice and seeing good results, you will be convinced that Jehovah cares about you.—1 Chron. 28:9; Acts 17:26, 27. He pays attention to everything she does for him and notices her beautiful qualities (Jer. 17:10). He wants to be your friend and wants you to accept that invitation (1 John 4:19).
ILLUSTRATION
A young sister does her personal study. He has the Bible open and watches a video on his tablet. “If you seek him, he will let you find him” (1 Chron. 28:9). (See paragraph 9).
“DID I MAKE THE RIGHT DECISIONS?”
10. When we look back, what might we ask ourselves?
10 Over the years, someone might look back and wonder if their decisions were the best. Perhaps you quit a good job or decided not to start a certain business so that you could do more for Jehovah. But now that the years have passed, you may notice that some people you know who dedicated themselves to making money seem to be living very well. So you may be wondering, “Were all the sacrifices I made for Jehovah really worth it?” Or would I have been better off if I had decided differently?”
11. Why did the writer of Psalm 73 feel distressed?
11 If you have ever wondered something like this, think about how the writer of Psalm 73 felt. He saw that those who did not serve Jehovah seemed to enjoy health, peace, and wealth. (Ps. 73:3-5, 12) Because they were apparently doing so well, the psalmist felt that everything he did for Jehovah was not worth it. “He spent the whole day in anguish” turning over those negative thoughts (Ps. 73:13, 14). What helped you?
12. According to Psalm 73:16-18, what helped the psalmist think clearly?
12 (Read Psalm 73:16-18). The psalmist went to the sanctuary of Jehovah. In that place where there was peace, he was able to think clearly. He understood that, although some led a comfortable life, a very dark future awaited them. He saw that putting Jehovah first was the best decision, and that gave him peace of mind and strength to continue serving Him. (Ps. 73:23-28)
13. How can you have peace of mind? (See also images).
13 Like the psalmist, you can achieve peace of mind. How? On the one hand, think about all the good things you have and the treasures in heaven that you have been accumulating. On the other hand, what do those who do not serve Jehovah have? Only what this world offers, and nothing more. All their hopes are placed on what they can achieve in this life, and not on the future. But Jehovah promises that he will give us much more than we can imagine (Ps. 145:16). On the other hand, there is really no way to know what his life would have been like if he had made different decisions. But there is one thing we do know: those who make decisions out of love for Jehovah and their neighbor will never lack anything that is truly worthwhile.
ILLUSTRATION
A brother is cleaning the windows of a store and imagines that he is in Paradise with his wife, carrying a wheelbarrow full of fruit while deer eat grass near them. Let us always keep in mind the promises of Jehovah. (See paragraph 13).
“Could it be that I am useful to Jehovah?”
14. In what situation are some of Jehovah's servants, and what might they be wondering?
14 Some of Jehovah's servants would like to do more for him, but they cannot because of age, health problems, or a disability. This may lead them to feel that they are not important to Jehovah and to ask themselves: “Could it be that I am useful to him?”
15. What was the writer of Psalm 71 convinced of?
15 The writer of Psalm 71 had similar feelings. He told Jehovah: “When my strength fails, do not abandon me” (Ps. 71:9, 18). But he was convinced that if he served God faithfully, he would guide and support him. He learned that Jehovah is happy with those who do their best to serve him despite their limitations.(Ps. 37:23-25).
16. Why do we say that older brothers are very useful to Jehovah? (Psalm 92:12-15).
16 If you are an older Christian, try to see yourself as Jehovah sees you. Even if you feel like you cannot give much physically, Jehovah can help you give much spiritually. (Read Psalm 92:12-15.) Instead of obsessing about what you can't do, try to focus on what you can do. You can strengthen others by your good example and by caring for them. You can also tell them how Jehovah has helped you throughout your life and how you want to see his promises fulfilled. And never forget that the prayers you pray for others have great power (1 Pet. 3:12). No matter what our circumstances, we can all do things for Jehovah and for others.
17. Why should we strive not to compare ourselves with others?
17 If you feel frustrated because you cannot do as much for Jehovah as you would like, remember that he values all your efforts. Don't hesitate! On the other hand, you may be tempted to compare yourself to others, but try not to. Because? Because Jehovah never compares us to other people (Gal. 6:4). For example, Mary poured expensive perfumed oil on Jesus' feet (John 12:3-5). Instead, the poor widow put two small coins of very little value into the temple (Luke 21:1-4). For Jesus, those two actions were a test of his faith. Your Father, Jehovah, values anything you do out of love and devotion to him, no matter how small it may seem to you.
18. What can help you resolve your doubts? (See also the box “The Word of God helps you resolve your doubts”).
18 We all doubt sometimes. But, as we have seen, the Word of God helps us resolve those doubts. So look to her for the answers you need, and you will feel that your doubts disappear and your heart is filled with confidence. Jehovah does notice you, values the sacrifices you make for him, and promises to reward you. Never forget: Jehovah loves and cares for each of his faithful servants.
The Word of God helps you resolve your doubts
Jehovah cares about you.
“Do not be afraid, because I am with you. Do not be distressed, for I am your God. I will give you strength. Yes, I will help you. With my right hand of righteousness, I will indeed uphold you” (Is. 41:10).
“I, Jehovah, am your God, who teaches you for your own good, who guides you in the way you should walk” (Isa. 48:17).
Jehovah values the decision you made to serve him.
“My son, if your heart becomes wise, my own heart will rejoice” (Prov. 23:15).
“May your way of life be free from the love of money, and may you be content with the things you have. For he has said, ‘I will never leave you and I will never forsake you’” (Heb. 13:5).
Jehovah appreciates anything you can do for him.
“The gift that each one brings must be in proportion to the blessing that the Lord your God has given you” (Deut. 16:17).
“God is not unjust and does not forget your works or the love you showed for his name as you served the saints and continued to serve them” (Heb. 6:10).
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
How do we know that Jehovah cares about us?
He gives us advice that fits perfectly with what we need. To do this, you have to know us very well. By putting this advice into practice and seeing the good results, we will be convinced that Jehovah cares about us.
What should we do if we doubt that we have made the right decisions in life?
We may ask ourselves: “Were all the sacrifices I made for Jehovah really worth it?” Or would I have been better off if I had decided differently?”
There is really no way to know what our lives would have been like if we had made different decisions. But there is one thing we do know: those who make decisions out of love for Jehovah and their neighbor will never lack anything that is truly worthwhile.
What should we do if we doubt that we are useful to Jehovah?
If we feel frustrated because we cannot do as much for Jehovah as we would like, let us remember that he values all our efforts.
Jehovah values anything we do out of love and devotion to him, no matter how small it may seem to us.
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