“May my steps remain in your paths” (Ps. 17:5).
1, 2. How can we prepare ourselves for the problems we may face in our Christian life? Give an example.
We can prepare for the problems we may face in our Christian life by thinking ahead about the situations we might encounter and preparing ourselves now to know how to act in each case. In that way, the problems that arise will not affect us as much or damage our relationship with Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In the same way that we must be prepared for when a possible natural disaster occurs—by finding out what disasters can occur where we live and making plans to know how to act in the face of each type of disaster—we must also prepare for some problems that may arise in our Christian life.
Natural disasters are something that can happen to anyone. Although they may not be common in some areas, they can occur in our region at any time—as we constantly see in the news. If we are prepared and have considered what problems might affect us, we will likely have a better chance of survival than if we haven't.
We may not like to think about problems; we prefer to think about other things. But, as the paragraph says, we live in Satan's world, and we will all have difficulties, even with our brothers and sisters. Therefore, it is realistic to think ahead about what problems might arise and see what we can do to solve them.
Proverbs 21:5 says that the plans of the diligent lead to prosperity, but everyone who is rash comes to poverty. Therefore, by understanding the challenges we may face after baptism, we can prepare ourselves and not allow them to damage our relationship with Jehovah.
What we want is precisely what Psalm 17:5 says: “That my steps may remain in your paths so that my feet may not stumble.” Above all, the most important thing must be that our relationship with Jehovah is always preserved.
IF A BROTHER OFFENDS HIM
3. What difficulties might we encounter in the congregation?
We may encounter difficulties, such as someone doing or saying something that hurts us. This happened to Blanca, who says that a sister treated her badly and she noticed that she often criticized others. This surprised her because she had been taught that Jehovah's Witnesses strive to be peaceful and show love.
This reminds us that we must keep in mind that, although it is true that the brothers strive to develop Christian qualities, they are still imperfect.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
It is very likely that, sooner or later, someone will do or say something that will hurt us.
As we see in James 3:8, no human being can control their tongue. So, because of our imperfection, we may find ourselves in misunderstandings or situations that can hurt us. This can test our patience and Christian love.
Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that hurt us, especially when they occur within our own congregation, where we think everything is fine and nothing bad will happen. However, as mentioned in Sister Blanca's case, someone treated her very badly, and she realized that this person often criticized others. This took her by surprise, because one might think that being with family means something like this would never happen.
We must not forget that we are still imperfect and can make mistakes. As Ephesians 4:23-24 says, we must continue to renew our way of thinking, since each day we struggle against our own imperfection so as not to hurt anyone.
When we read passages like John 13:35, we feel we are in the truth because we see the love among brothers and sisters, which stands out against the hatred and indifference of this world. But then, as the passage mentions, we can clash with a brother or sister who hurts us deeply, and because of a single act, we might come to question the love of the entire congregation. However, although love is what distinguishes true Christians, we must also understand that we are imperfect and can sin.
1 John 1:8 says that if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Therefore, this passage warns us that it is likely—in fact, almost certain—that sooner or later someone will do or say something that hurts us, or that we will hurt others. So we need to be prepared.
4. What can we do to be ready now in case a brother offends us? (Ephesians 4:32).
We can make it a habit to apply the counsel of Ephesians 4:32, to forgive one another generously, just as God generously forgave us through Christ. If we do all in our power to be kind and compassionate, we will surely avoid unnecessary problems with others.
If we remember how many times we ask Jehovah to forgive us and how generously he forgives us, we can set ourselves the goal of generously forgiving those who hurt us.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We must be kind, treat each other with tenderness and compassion, and be generous in forgiving one another.
We should remember the times Jehovah generously forgives us. Therefore, we should meditate on this with gratitude, and in this way it will be easier for us to forgive those who have wronged us.
After baptism, as we progress in knowledge, we strive to be consistent. If the text says, “Forgive one another freely,” it means that, at the time when Paul gave this advice, there were people who offended one another. This shows us that we should apply this advice and be consistent with what we study.
As the paragraph mentions, “Do everything possible” or “everything within your power.” So, we also have to make an effort.
Matthew 6:12 is a familiar model prayer that Jesus gave us as a reference. It says: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” This passage teaches us that, to ask Jehovah for forgiveness, we must first forgive our brothers and sisters. If we have something unresolved with someone and we are unwilling or have not done all we can to forgive them, how can we ask Jehovah to forgive us?
If we meditate on the fact that when we pray to Jehovah, we ask for forgiveness, it will become easier for us to forgive others.
5. If someone offends us, what Bible principle can help us? (Proverbs 19:11; see also the pictures.)
The biblical principle in Proverbs 19:11, which says, “A person’s insight yields patience,” can help us when someone offends us. Insight will lead us not only to focus on what that person did or said, but also to try to understand why they did or said it.
We must strive to know and understand our brothers and sisters better each day. In this way, it will be easier for us to forgive them if they ever offend us.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Proverbs 19:11 says that insight helps us to restrain anger. Indeed, insight involves seeing beyond the immediate actions. This is what Sister Rima mentions: she pays attention to the problems or circumstances that may be surrounding people when they do something that could offend her.
By getting to know each other better, we understand people better, and sometimes we see that what they said was impulsive. Furthermore, we can do something more: try to get to know them better, for example, by preaching with them.
The final part of Proverbs 19:11 speaks of overlooking an offense. This reminds us of taking a group photo: we keep the ones we like best and delete the ones we don't. Similarly, when we have a misunderstanding with someone, instead of dwelling on that moment, why not "delete" it, overlook it, and focus on the good times?
And if there aren't any good moments yet, this is a great opportunity to create them. As we see in the image, we can go preach with that person and thus foster a beautiful friendship.
The image is very descriptive. We see that there may have been a misunderstanding between two brothers, but one of them uses his insight: he goes further and dedicates time to that brother to get to know him a little better. Perhaps he hadn't had a good day, was tired, or had problems at home or financial difficulties.
Insight and spending time with our siblings will help us see beyond the surface and, so to speak, apply a filter. When a misunderstanding arises, this filter will help us avoid reacting with anger and instead better understand what might have happened to our sibling.
In the image, the brother on the left may have a right to feel offended, as he's being given advice, perhaps not in the most appropriate way. Furthermore, it's happening in a public place, where others can witness the situation. However, the important thing is to maintain peace, regardless of the circumstances, as we see on the right.
No matter the order in which we look at the situation, there's always a solution. To gain insight, we can go out and preach with the brother and learn about his circumstances; that way, even if a misunderstanding arises, we can resolve it. If we haven't had the time or opportunity to go out with him, we can also see it as presented in the image: the misunderstanding arises, but it doesn't stay there; afterward, we can preach with him and resolve it.
We can also say that the key lies in the fact that, on the one hand, we have love for our brothers, but, on the other hand, our love for Jehovah prevails. And that makes it so that, as seen in the brother in the picture on the right, he looks at the other with a smile and thinks: “I felt very offended, but, above all, I enjoy seeing that you, as a servant of Jehovah, just like me, serve him.”
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. A brother is offended by the way another brother speaks to him while they are doing maintenance work in the outdoor area of a Kingdom Hall. 2. Later, the brother who was offended happily preaches from house to house with the other brother.
If we have a misunderstanding with a brother, let us try to preach with him. (See paragraph 5.)
6. What will help us to enjoy good friendships in the congregation?
It will help us to enjoy good friendships in the congregation if we strive to focus on the good qualities of our brothers and sisters and not give too much importance to small mistakes, which, compared to the serious attitudes and actions seen in the world, are nothing. We must also change our way of thinking, focusing more on the virtues of our brothers and sisters.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
While it's natural to notice each other's mistakes because of the time we spend together, we should strive to be understanding and focus on our brothers' and sisters' positive qualities. Doing so will help us see how fortunate we are to have such a loving environment as the congregation, in contrast to the cruelty in the world.
The paragraph shows us the example of a brother named Mark, who began to realize that he focused too much on the imperfections of others, and that this caused him to stumble. He then understood that these small mistakes were nothing compared to the attitudes and actions he sees in the world, and that he needed to change his way of thinking and seeing things.
One thing we can keep in mind is that we will always see faults in our brothers and sisters, but we could ask ourselves: why not focus on their good qualities? As Proverbs 10:12 says, hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all offenses.
We can put into practice what Philippians 2:3 says: not to act out of self-interest or self-centeredness, perhaps thinking that we always do the right thing or that we are always right. Rather, as the text goes on to say, we should act with humility, considering others more important than ourselves and recognizing that we can learn from their strengths and overlook their weaknesses.
What will help us is consciously choosing where we focus our attention. If we only look at what we don't like, we will end up drifting away. But if we strive to see what is good—faith, generosity, a sincere desire to please Jehovah—then our hearts open up, and we can enjoy wholesome, upbuilding relationships. And we strengthen not only our friendships but also our own spirituality.
IF YOU START TO MISS WHAT YOU LEFT BEHIND
7. What might lead us to miss the things we left behind?
The problems we face in life might make us remember or even miss some of the things we left behind to serve Jehovah. For example, we might begin to look back with nostalgia on a prestigious job, friendships that have faded, or even habits that Jehovah hates but that gave us some pleasure.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Problems can cause us to remember the past very differently, as happened to the Israelites, who looked back and said they missed the free fish they ate, when in reality they were subjected to cruel slavery. So nostalgia or hardship can lead us to see the past differently than it actually was.
When we became Witnesses, we may have left behind things that seemed very bad. But current problems can make us see them differently, leading us to think, “Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all,” or “That was good for me, or it helped me disconnect.” This is a very subtle trap set by Satan. So let’s see what we can do to avoid this and, above all, to avoid upsetting Jehovah.
Always having a willing heart and recognizing that our love for Jehovah is the most precious thing we have will help us to cherish him. We should let him feel how great that love is by demonstrating through our actions all that we know pleases him and makes him happy.
It is important to focus on all the good things Jehovah has given us so that we do not miss anything.
8. What do we learn from Abraham and Sarah?
From Abraham and Sarah we learn that instead of dwelling on how our lives were before, we should focus on the future. They left the comforts of Ur, a prosperous and fortified city, and went to live in tents. If they had continued to think about what they had left behind, they might have been tempted to return.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We learn that they were obedient to Jehovah: they left a prosperous city where they felt safe and went to live in tents. If they had been constantly thinking about how well they lived before and how they lived now, they might have been tempted to go back. But they focused on the future and on what Jehovah had promised them.
Sometimes we might think that Abraham and Sarah were an example of spirituality and faith, and they were. But Hebrews 11:15 says that if they had continued to dwell on the past, they would have been tempted to return.
We learn that, regardless of our level of faith or spirituality, we must avoid dwelling on certain ideas. Even Abraham and Sarah, who were role models, could have fallen into the temptation of returning to what they had left behind. Therefore, we too could fall into the same trap.
It's not that you can't think about the past, but rather that you shouldn't dwell on it. Even Abraham and Sarah, although they may have had thoughts about what they left behind at some point, knew how to stop them and not focus on them.
From the example of Abraham and Sarah we learn that we should not feel bad if a thought comes to us, but we should stop it so as not to dwell on it and, instead, focus on what Jehovah will give us in the future.
9. How did the apostle Paul view the things he gave up? (Philippians 3:7, 8, 13).
Paul considered the things he gave up to be worthless compared to the immense privilege of being a follower of Jesus and the wonderful reward he would receive in the future. For Paul, those blessings far outweighed the sacrifices he had to make or the things he gave up to serve Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The apostle Paul did not view what he had left behind as valuable, but rather considered it insignificant compared to serving Jehovah and following Christ. He had no doubt that the blessings he would receive were far greater than all the sacrifices he had made, and that he would receive great blessings.
Paul considered the things he gave up, as Philippians 3:7-8 says, as a pile of garbage. Just as no one longs for a bag they've thrown in the trash, Paul never regretted rejecting what the world offered. It no longer held any value for him.
The apostle Paul faced many difficulties. In his second letter to the Corinthians, we read how he was stoned, beaten, and hated by the Jews, and how he was in danger on numerous occasions. Even so, he didn't dwell on these hardships or think about the life he could have had if he had remained Jewish. Rather, he set a powerful example by focusing on the privilege of being a follower of Jesus and the many blessings and rewards he would receive in the future for his faithfulness.
10. What things should we meditate on frequently? (Mark 10:29, 30; see also the pictures.)
We should frequently meditate on all the blessings we enjoy by being in the truth, such as having a close friendship with the Sovereign of the universe. Furthermore, we have a large spiritual family that loves us dearly. Also, if we think about the things we have left behind, we should remember why we gave them up. If we meditate on all of this, we will be less likely to miss what we have relinquished.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
If we find ourselves dwelling on the things we have left behind, we should remember why we gave them up and reflect on the blessings Jehovah gives us for standing in the truth. If we meditate on all the good things Jehovah gives us for serving him, we are less likely to miss what we have left behind.
The main idea is that we need to be careful about what we focus our minds on and what we dwell on. If we constantly focus on the faults of others, it harms us. And if we are constantly thinking about what we have left behind, about the supposed advantages of a way of life that displeased Jehovah, we will not achieve anything.
We must replace those thoughts with positive ones: thinking about all the good things we have because of serving Jehovah, about the enormous privilege of being among his people, and that will help us to be more positive.
In the picture, we see the sister wearing orange reminiscing as she walks past the soccer field about the time she played on that team. It's natural that she remembers scoring goals and things like that, but she immediately recalls why she quit: it probably took time away from her meetings.
All that training may have distanced the sister from the image of being able to serve Jehovah as she wanted, for example, in the pioneer service, which she may now be doing along with the other sister. In the next picture, she is even seen preaching to a former teammate or someone from that same circle. No doubt she will reflect on why she left that kind of life and how happy she is now.
Sometimes we may miss the past because we are going through a difficult time. Before, we didn't know the truth, we didn't know Jehovah, we didn't have friendships with the brothers, and we didn't enjoy spiritual blessings, so there's no reason to miss the past. On the contrary, we should focus on the positive, on all the blessings we have, so as not to abandon them.
We must also focus on the large spiritual family we have now, who love us very much. This makes us think about how wonderful the future will be.
Ecclesiastes 7:10 says that whoever asks about the past and says they were better is not wise. In other words, when someone starts asking those questions, there's no doubt it's neither wise nor intelligent. In fact, it's common for people to forget bad things and dwell on the past, remembering only the positive. As the verse says, reflecting on why we let those things go usually puts everything back in perspective and helps us focus.
ILLUSTRATION
Instead of dwelling nostalgically on the things we have left behind, let us enjoy the valuable ministry that Jehovah has entrusted to us. (See paragraph 10.)
11. What do you learn from Rosemary?
From Rosemary’s example, we learn that if we miss something we gave up when we learned the truth, we can replace it with activities that bring us joy and please Jehovah. She substituted Christmas with family gatherings at other times, and instead of becoming lonely after her friends abandoned her, she made new friends within the congregation. This reminds us that with Jehovah, we always gain far more than we lose.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Her example is very positive because she did not focus on what she could no longer do with her family, but instead she sought, first of all, to remain loyal to Jehovah and his principles, but also to be able to do with her family what she loved, which was to enjoy giving gifts and showing them how much she loved them.
What is mentioned in Rosemary's example is very interesting because it shows us that if we miss something that made us happy but displeased Jehovah, then we can try to replace it with something that brings us joy but also pleases Jehovah.
The sister's example is very realistic, because many of us have experienced the same thing and longed for things we left behind. But, like Rosemary, we shouldn't simply ignore those feelings; instead, we should look for ways to bring us joy that please Jehovah.
This also places a task upon us: to help those who are learning the truth, getting baptized, and leaving so much behind, so that they don't feel alone. We must welcome them, care for them, and help them feel like part of the new family Jehovah is giving them, a family we are part of.
IF OTHERS FORSAKE JEHOVAH
12. What situation might prove particularly difficult?
One potentially difficult situation is learning that a brother or sister has committed a serious sin or has even been removed from the congregation. This can be especially challenging if it involves a close friend, a family member, or someone we deeply respect, such as an elder.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
The paragraph mentions the case of a newly baptized person who was deeply shocked to see an elder removed from the congregation. Sometimes people idealize Jehovah's Witnesses without realizing that we are imperfect and can make mistakes at any time.
We must always remember that, regardless of what imperfect humans do, we serve Jehovah. The important thing is to distinguish between what people do and what we can expect from Jehovah.
The paragraph begins by mentioning that when we realize what a spiritual oasis Jehovah's people are, we are happy to leave behind what lies outside so that we can benefit from that wonderful oasis. However, when someone close to us sins seriously, if they were to remain in the congregation, that oasis would cease to exist. Therefore, it is especially difficult when someone close to us is removed from the congregation.
When someone close to us has committed a serious sin or is removed from the congregation, it affects us; it can make us sad and even make it difficult to go back to the congregation, because we used to go with that person and now they are no longer there, and that can affect us.
13. How can we prepare ourselves so that our faith will not be affected if someone very close to us leaves Jehovah?
We can prepare ourselves by strengthening our own relationship with Jehovah. To do this, we must not allow our faith to depend on whether others are faithful or not. Rather, each of us should strive to offer our own prayers and personal Bible reading, as well as participate in family and congregational worship.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can strengthen our own relationship with Jehovah. James 4:8 encourages us to draw close to Jehovah and also to strengthen our faith. As the paragraph states, we cannot allow our faith to depend on anything or anyone; it is our personal relationship with Jehovah.
As Psalm 62:8 says, we should keep in mind that Jehovah is a refuge. So, in difficult circumstances such as when someone very close to us leaves Jehovah, we should remember that Jehovah will always be there to help us.
14. What do we learn from the apostle Peter? (John 6:66-68).
From the apostle Peter we learn that we must remain faithful, even if others stop serving Jehovah or we do not fully understand some things. Peter did not abandon Jesus because he knew that Jesus taught the truth, and he said to him: “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life,” as John 6:68 shows.
Likewise, we remain steadfast and faithful to Jehovah, even though some may leave his organization, because we know that we learn the truth in it and we value it very much.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We learn that even if others stop following Jesus or serving Jehovah, we must remain faithful, not allow anything to separate us from him, and continue to value and rely on his teachings.
Sister Samar says she always remembers that people's bad actions or decisions do not represent Jehovah's organization. Perhaps a friend or family member is making choices or living a life that doesn't seem right or fair to us, but we shouldn't let it affect us, because it's not the congregation or Jehovah who are acting that way, but that particular person.
It may happen that someone becomes angry about something that has happened to them, perhaps even an injustice, and stops attending meetings and abandons Jehovah, as if he were to blame for what has happened. For this reason, we must remain steadfast and faithful to Jehovah, even if some leave his organization, and he will help us to remain steadfast.
We can also include here any brother who has a certain degree of responsibility. A bad deed, whoever commits it, is a bad deed. And it is no more serious or different because he has a great deal of responsibility in Jehovah's organization. It is his responsibility, and he will have to settle it with Jehovah, but we continue to worship him.
15. What do you learn from Emily?
From Emily's example, we learn that even in very painful situations, we are not alone. The congregation is like a family to us. That is why it is important to stay united and encourage one another.
We also learn the importance of making good friends in the congregation from now on, so that when we face trials, we will have the necessary encouragement and companionship and will not feel alone.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Siblings are like family, that's why it's important that we stay united and encourage each other.
Even if a very close relative leaves Jehovah's organization, we have the support of other brothers and sisters in the same congregation, and this will help us to overcome these difficult times when we are going through these problems.
We learn that when we go through these kinds of difficulties, we have to grieve, but the paragraph tells us that isolating ourselves is not the key. The key is to stay united in the congregation, which is where we will find all the support we need.
16. What should we not forget? (See also the image).
We must not forget that Jehovah disciplines those he loves and that he wants all who have been removed from the congregation to return to him. We can also trust that the elders will do their utmost to help them return to Jehovah.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Just as Jehovah disciplines those he loves, he also wants all who have strayed from the congregation to return. The elders handle these matters, helping them to return to Jehovah.
When we learn that a friend, family member, or any brother or sister has been separated from the congregation, our hearts ache. We want to do everything we can to help this person return. But it is very comforting and reassuring to know that the paragraph clearly tells us that Jehovah loves that person and wants them to return.
It is up to the elders to help those who have left Jehovah, and it is also up to the individual to do everything possible to repent and return to Jehovah. Jehovah will do everything possible to bring that little sheep back. Now it is up to that person to sincerely demonstrate repentance and take steps to rejoin the congregation and follow Jehovah's standards.
The image shows two elderly people trying to help someone return to the congregation. While what is seen can be photographed, what the elderly people feel in that moment cannot be captured in a picture. But it is clear that they feel great joy and a strong desire to help. It is one of the things that makes the elderly happiest: knowing that a lost sheep has been found and is back with us.
As the picture shows, some elders are trying to help and encourage this person who has left Jehovah. They are showing him the brochure “Jehovah Wants You to Return,” which contains a lot of very positive and beautiful information about how Jehovah cares for this person and how he encourages him to return. He is waiting with open arms, and so are the elders.
ILLUSTRATION
Two elders visit a man who was removed from the congregation. One of the elders is holding an open Bible, and the other is showing the man a lesson from the booklet “Jehovah Wants You to Return.”
If someone close to us is removed from the congregation, let us remember that the elders want to help him return to Jehovah. (See paragraph 16.)
17. What can we be sure of?
We can be sure that we have Jehovah with us and that he will give us the best possible help. He has supported us in the past and will continue to do so in the future, giving us the strength and endurance needed to face any difficulty.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can be sure that Jehovah will always give us the strength and endurance to withstand any difficulty. So what we need to do is rely on him, and then nothing will be able to separate us from him.
A person may have been baptized and have gone through many difficulties, depending on how long they have been in the truth. And throughout all that time, they have seen Jehovah's hand. Therefore, if they remember how Jehovah has helped them in the past and trust in that, they will also have the certainty and confidence that Jehovah will help them in the future when problems and difficulties arise.
1 Peter 5:10 likens it to training. We all need training, but newly baptized ones need it even more. Verse 10 concludes by saying that after this training, Jehovah will make us firm and strong and set us on a solid foundation. So everything we have seen is part of that training that we all, as Christians, need to receive, and Jehovah will always be behind us as our trainer, showing us the way we should go.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO PREPARE OURSELVES FOR DIFFICULTIES LIKE THESE?
A brother offends us.
We can prepare ourselves by cultivating the habit of being kind and compassionate, and by setting ourselves the goal of generously forgiving those who hurt us. It will also help to remember how often Jehovah forgives us, and for that reason, we should do the same for our brothers and sisters.
Furthermore, it is important to develop discernment, trying to understand the circumstances of others and striving to get to know our brothers and sisters better. In this way, if they ever offend us, it will be easier for us to forgive them.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In this article we have seen several ideas: forgiving generously, thinking about the experiences of that brother, striving to get to know our brothers better and focusing on their good qualities.
This article encouraged us to develop the capacity for discernment and showed what it entails: trying to understand the circumstances of others and striving to know our brothers and sisters better. If we do this, when we are offended, it will be much easier to forgive.
We begin to miss what we left behind.
We can prepare ourselves by avoiding focusing on what we leave behind and instead focusing on the future and the blessings we receive for serving Jehovah.
It is also important to remember why we gave up those things and to meditate frequently on all the good things we have now, such as our friendship with Jehovah, our spiritual family, and our future hope. In this way, we will be less likely to miss what we left behind.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Instead of dwelling on how our lives were before, we should focus more on the future. And we have a very good example in Abraham and Sarah, of everything they left behind and how they faced it.
We must also remember why we have given up those things and the blessings we now have for being in the truth, such as our friendship with Jehovah, the large family he has given us, and the future that awaits us.
Someone is removed from the congregation.
We can prepare ourselves by strengthening our own relationship with Jehovah and not allowing our faith to depend on the faithfulness of others. To do this, it is important to offer our own prayers and to have a regular personal Bible study.
We too should imitate Peter’s example, remaining loyal to Jehovah even when others stray, because we know we have learned the truth. Furthermore, it is crucial to remember that a person’s bad actions do not represent the organization or Jehovah’s qualities.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
We can prepare ourselves by strengthening our relationship with Jehovah and not allowing our faith to depend on what others do. And we must also remember that the elders will do all they can to help those who have left Jehovah to return to his people.
Psalm 119:165 tells us that “those who love your law enjoy abundant peace; nothing will be a hindrance to them.” That is a great blessing we have from Jehovah if we make it our goal to accept the help he gives us through the elders and his organization. And, of course, if we do so, nothing will separate us from him.
We can meditate on the fact that Jehovah will never fail us, and neither will the congregation as a whole. Many brothers and sisters come and go; others travel, others leave, and still others may be removed from the congregation. But a congregation will never end or disappear because a brother or sister is no longer there or because there is some change. This gives us the assurance that we are always protected by the congregation and by Jehovah, and that will never fail.
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