Feelings of Dejection

In Bible times a number of faithful individuals suffered from feelings of severe dejection.  Job hated life and felt that God had abandoned him.  Hannah, who became the mother of Samuel, was at one time deeply d8istressed about her childlessness and wept bitterly.  David was "bowed low to an extreme degree," and Epaphroeditus was distressed because news of his sickness grieved his brothers. -Psalm 38:6; 1 Samuel 1:7, 10; Job 29:2, 4, 5; Philippians 2:35, 26.

What about Christians today? Perhaps illness, advancing age, or other  personal circumstances prevent some from doing as much as they would like in sacred service.  This may lead them to conclude that they are failing Jehovah and their fellow believers.  Or some may constantly blame themselves for past mistakes, doubting that Jehovah has forgiven them.  Perhaps others coming from difficult family backgrounds are convinced that they are just not worth loving.  How is this possible?

Some grow up in families where the predominant spirit is not one of love but of selfishness, sarcasm and fear.  They may never get to know a father who deeply loves them, who looks for chances to praise and encourage, who overlooks misdemeanors and is prepared to forgive even more serious mistakes,and whose warmth makes the whole family feel secure.  Since they never had a loving earthly father,m they may find it hard to understand what it means to have a loving heavenly Father.

For example, Fritz writes: "My childhood and youth were strongly influenced by my father's  unloving manner.  He never gave any commendation,and I never felt close to him.  In fact, most of the time, I was afraid of him."  As a result, Fritz who is now in his 50's, still has feelings of inadequacy.  And Margarette explains: "My parents were cold and unloving.  when I started  to study the Bible, I had difficulty imagining what a loving father is like."

Such feelings, for whatever reason,can mean that  our service to God is at times motivated,not primarily by love, but to a large  extent by guilt or fear.  Our best never seems good enough.  The desire to please Jehovah and our fellow believers may make us feel that we are stretched beyond our limits.  As a result, we may fall short of our goals, blame ourselves, and feel despondent.

What can be done? Perhaps we need to remind ourselves of how largehearted Jehovah is. Someone who understood this loving aspect of Gods personality was the apostle John.

Next time: "God Is Greater Than Our Hearts"

The Watchtower, 2000