"You Need Endurance"

KEEP A REGULAR SPIRITUAL ROUTINE

There are yet other things we can do to endure. One is to maintain a regular spiritual routine. Consider the example of a 39-year-old John, who was diagnosed with a rare cancer. He admits:  "I felt cheated because I was so young."  At the time, John's son was just three years old.   "This meant that my wife not only had to look after our young child but also had to care for me, as well as help  with all my medical appointments," says John.  Chemotherapy  treatments left John feeling extremely fatigued and nauseated. And that was not all. John's father became terminally ill and needed family care.

How did John and his family cope with this difficult situation?  "Despite my fatigue, I made sure that our family maintained a regular spiritual routine," he reports.  "We attended all the meetings, had a weekly share in the ministry, and had regular family worship even when it was difficult."  Indeed, John saw that a a key to enduring any challenge  is that of maintaining spirituality. Does he have any advice for those who are facing their own trying circumstances?  He says: "After the initial shock wears off, the nagging thoughts will be replaced by Jehovah's strength and love.  Jehovah can make you strong, just as he has me." 

Without a doubt, with God's backing we can endure difficult trials or circumstances that we may face-now or in the future.   Let us demonstrate prayerful reliance on Jehovah, develop a close bond of friendship  with those in our congregation, draw support from Christian elders, and maintain a regular spiritual routine.  By doing so, we will be acting in harmony with Paul's words:  "You need endurance." 

Next time: LIFE STORY/  "Let the Many Islands Rejoice"

From the Watchtower magazine