YOU CAN COPE With Discouragement!

Have You Lost a Service Privilege?

Some have become depressed because of having had to relinquish a cherished privilege in God's service. They enjoyed serving their brothers, and when the privilege was lost, they felt that they were no longer useful to Jehovah or to his organization. If that is how you feel, you may gain insight by considering the example of the Bible writer Mark, also called John Mark. -Acts 12:12.

Mark accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary tour, but partway through the journey, he abandoned them and returned to Jerusalem. (Acts 13:13) Later, Barnabas wanted to take Mark with them on another trip. However, the Bible says: "Paul did not think it proper to be taking this one along with them, seeing that he had departed from them from Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work." Barnabas disagreed. "At them," the account continues,m "there occurred a sharp burst of anger, sot hat [Paul and Barnabas] separated from each other; and Barnabas took Mark along and sailed away to Cyprus. Paul selected Silas and went off." -Acts 15:36-40.

Mark must have been devastated to learn that the respected apostle Paul did not want to work with him and that a dispute over his qualifications had led to a rift between Paul and Barnabas. But there is more to the story.

Paul and Silas still needed a traveling companion. When they arrived at Lystra, they found someone to replace Mark, a young man named Timothy. Now Timothy may have been baptized for only two or three years at the time he was chosen. On the other hand, Mark had been associated with the Christian congregation since its inception-longer, in fact,than Paul himself. Yet, it was Timothy who received the privileged assignment. -Acts 16:1-3.

How did Mark react when he learned that he had been replaced by a younger, less experienced man? The Bible does not say. Nevertheless, it does indicate that Mark remained active in Jehovah's service. He took advantage of the privileges that were available to him. Although unable to serve with Paul and Silas he was able to travel with Barnabas to Cyprus, which was Barnabas' home territory. Mark also served with Peter in Babylon. Eventually, he did have an opportunity to work with Paul -and Timothy-in Rome. (Colossians 1:1; 4:10; 1 Peter 5:13) Later Mark was even inspired to write one of the four Gospels!

There is a valuable lesson in all of this. Mark did not become so concerned about a lost privilege that he failed to appreciate the privileges that were still within his reach. Mark kept busy in Jehovah's service, and Jehovah blessed him.

So if you have lost a privilege, do not be discouraged. if you maintain a positive attitude and keep busy, other privileges may come your way. There is plenty to do in the work of the Lord. - 1 Corinthians 15:58.

Next time: A Faithful Servant Gets Discouraged

Watchtower, 2001