Family Happiness/When a Spouse Has Special Needs

Try to Maintain a Positive Outlook

The Bible warns: "Do not say: 'Why has it happened that the former days proved to be better than these?'"  (Ecclesiastes 7:10)  So avoid dwelling on what might have been.  Remember that in this world, all happiness is limited in some way.  The key here is to accept your situation and make the best of it.

What can help you and your mate in this regard?  Discuss your blessings together. Take delight in even the smallest improvements in your health. Find things to look forward to, and set reachable goals together. 

A couple  named Shoji and Akiko have applied the above advice with good results. At  one point after Akiko was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, they had to leave a special assignment in the full-time ministry. Were they disappointed?  Naturally. Yet, Shoji advises any in similar circumstances:  "Do not discourage yourself by thinking about things that you can no longer do. Keep a positive outlook. Even if you both have the hope of returning to a normal routine someday, concentrate  for now on your life as it is.  For me, that means focusing my attention on my wife and helping her."  Such practical advice can help you too if your spouse has special needs.  

ASK YOURSELF . . .

What do my mate and I most need to do right now?

* Talk more about the illness

* Talk less about the illness

* Worry less

* Show more consideration for each other

* Have a mutual interest outside the illness

* Have more social contact

* Have mutual goals 

Next time: RELIGION IN RUSSIA/WHAT IS IT S FUTURE? -THE SOVIET ATTACK ON RELIGION 

From the jw.org publications