When You Feel You Cannot Go On - BIBLE VERSES THAT CAN HELP

God understands your feelings.

"I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, . . . saying to you, "Do not be afraid. I will help you.'" -ISAIAH 41:13.

Jehovah understands our feelings better than anyone else, and he wants to help us.

Meditate on God's Word.

"[Elijah] asked that he might die.  He said:' . . . O Jehovah, take my life away." - 1 KINGS 19:4. 

"Meditating on God's Word helped me," says Ojebode.  "I realized that the prophet Elijah once felt just as I did."

Learn from Bible examples.

"I [Jesus] have made supplication for you [Peter] that your faith may  not give out." -LUKE 22:32. 

After the apostle Peter denied Jesus three times, his feelings were hard for him to bear and he wept bitterly.  "Peter's experience," says Kaoru,  "helped me to see that Jehovah and Jesus care about Peter's feelings.  This encouraged me." 

Never again will your painful feelings "be called to mind, nor will they come up into [your] heart." -ISAIAH 65:17.

Next time:  Why Life IS Worth Living

From the jw.org publications

When You Feel You Cannot Go On - WHERE TO FIND HELP

Most people who commit suicide are men, many of whom felt too ashamed to ask for help.  Jesus said that sick people need a physician.  (Luke 5:31) So If you have such feelings, please do not be ashamed  to seek help.  Many people who suffer from depression have found that medical treatment  can help them to cope.  Ojebode, Kaoru, and Adriana all received professional help and now cope much better.

Doctors may use medication or talk therapy or both to treat depression.  Those who suffer also need the empathetic support of patient, caring family and friends.  The best friend anyone can have is Jehovah God,  who provides wonderful help in his Word, the Bible. 

IS THERE A PERMANENT SOLUTION?

Victims of depression often need prolonged treatment and have to learn how to cope by making adjustments to their lifestyle. But if you struggle with depression, you can look forward to a bright future, as does Ojebode.   He says, "I look forward  to seeing the fulfillment of Isaiah 33:24, which foretells  the time when no one will say 'I am sick."  Like Ojebode, take comfort in God's promise of "a new earth," where "pain" will be no more.  (Revelation 21:1, 4) That promise includes an end to all mental and emotional pain. Your painful feelings will be gone forever. Never again will your painful feelings "be called to mind, nor will they come up into [your] heart." -ISAIAH 65:17.

Next time:When You Feel You Cannot Go On -BIBLE VERSES THAT CAN HELP

From the jw.org publications

When You Feel You Cannot Go On

"These feelings were relentless," admits Adriana, from Brazil.  "So I concluded that it would be better to end my life."

HAVE YOU ever felt so bad that you no longer wanted to live?  Then you may  understand how Adriana felt. She suffered from acute anxiety and felt sad and hopeless. Adriana was diagnosed with clinical depression.

Consider, too, a Japanese man named Kaoru, who cared for his sickly, aged parents.  "At the time I was overwhelmed by extreme pressure at work," he explains.  "In time I lost my appetite, and my sleep was terrible disturbed.  I came to think how relieved I would be if I could just die."

A Nigerian man named Ojebode says, "I was  always sad to the point of shedding tears, so I looked for a means to end my life."  Thankfully, Ojebode, Kaoru, and Adriana did not take their lives. But every year hundreds of thousands do. 

Next time: When You Feel You Cannot Go On - WHERE TO FIND HELP

From the jw.org publications

When You Have a Serious Illness -HOW SOME HAVE COPED

"Face illness with your faith in God," Advised 58-year-old Robert, "and he will carry you through.  Go to Jehovah in prayer.  Let him know how you feel. Ask him for holy spirit. Ask him for strength to be strong for the family and to allow you to go through your illness with dignity.

"It means so much when your family supports you emotionally, when they are there for you.  I get phone calls every day from one or two who ask, 'How are you doing?'  I get encouragement from friends all over.  They definitely give me a boost, and that helps me to keep going."

If you are a friend visiting a sick person, not what Linda points out: "The patient no doubt wants to lead as normal a life as possible and may not always talk about the sickness.  So talk about the things you usually talk about. 

With strength from God and comfort from the Scriptures, as well as the support of loving family  and friends, we can maintain our assurance that life is well worth living , even when we are enduring a serious illness.

BIBLE VERSES THAT CAN HELP

Lean on God.  

"I inquired of Jehovah, and he answered me. He rescued me from all my fears. This lowly one called, and Jehovah heard." -PSALM 34:4, 6.

Linda, quoted earlier, says: "I never pray, 'Make me better.'  I always pray, "Help me be strong, and help me to endure my illness."

Draw strength from God's Word. 

'No resident will say 'I am sick." - ISAIAH 33:24. 

Tap into sustaining power of hope by meditating on God's promises for the future.

Seek support from family and friends.

"A true friend shows love at all times and is a brother who is born for times for distress." - PROVERBS 17:17.

"Do not isolate yourself," advises Elise, quoted earlier.  "Allow your friends to help you.  There might be times when you feel alone and you don't even think that God is listening, but do not isolate yourself." 

Next time: When You Feel You Cannot Go On

From the jw.org publications

When You Have a Serious Illness

"When I learned that I had cancer in my lung and colon,  I thought that I had just received a death sentence.  But after I got home from the doctor.  I thought, 'OK, it's not what I expected, but I have to find a way to deal with this." -Linda, aged 71.  "

"I suffer from a debilitating nerve syndrome on the left side of my face. On occasion the severe pain has caused me to fall into a depression.  Many times, I felt alone and even contemplated suicide." - Elise, aged 49.

IF YOU or a loved one has been diagnosed with a potentially life-threatening illness, you know how distressing it can be. In addition to the disease itself, you have to deal with fragile emotions. Fear and anxiety can be intensified by nerve-racking medical appointments, difficulty obtaining or paying for treatment, or the unpleasant side  effects of medication.  The mental anguish  associated with serious illness can be overwhelming.

Where can we turn for assistance?  Many have found that their greatest comfort comes from leaning on God in prayer and reading comforting passages found in the Bible.  Another help may come through the love and support that family and friends can provide.

Next time:  When You Have a Serious Illness-HOW SOME HAVE COPED

From the jw.org publications

When a Spouse Is Unfaithful -HOW SOME HAVE COPED

Meditate on comforting scriptures.


"I read the book of Job and then the  Psalms," explains Bill, "underlining every passage that seemed to fit my own circumstances. I realized that these Bible writers had experienced the kind of pain and anxiety that I was feeling."


Find consolation in music.


"When I could not sleep at night, I listened to music," Cameron remembers.  "This was a great source of comfort."  Daniel says:  I learned to play the guitar and found that the harmony needed for the music helped me recover my inner peace and harmony."


Talk about your feelings.


"I was not used to talking about my feelings,"  Daniel says. " But I had some good friends and I reached out to them every day. I unburdened my feelings on them, both in writing and in conversation.  That really helped."  Sasha says:  "The help of my family was crucial.  My mother was always there for me.  If I wanted to talk, she was there to listen. My father also made me feel secure and helped me recover at my own pace. "


Persist in prayer.


"I prayed constantly," says Carmen, "I felt that God was near to me, listening to me, and helping me.  Through this terrible time, I drew closer to God."


Next time: When  You Have a Serious Illness


From the jw.org publications

When a Spouse Is Unfaithful -BIBLE VERSES THAT CAN HELP

Despite the heartache, many innocent spouses have found comfort in the Scriptures.  They have learned that God sees their tears and shares their pain. -MALACHI 2:13-16

"When anxieties overwhelmed me, you comforted and soothed me." -PSALM 94:19.

"As I read that verse, I imagined Jehovah soothing my pain tenderly, as a compassionate father would," recalls Bill.

"With someone loyal you act in loyalty." -PSALM 18:25. 

"My husband had not been loyal," explains Carmen, whose husband had been unfaithful for months." But I could trust in Jehovah's loyalty.  He would  never let me down."

"Do not be anxious over anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication . . . let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God hat surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts." -PHILIPPIANS 4:6, 7.

"I read the text over and over again," says Sasha. "As I prayed more and more, God gave me peace in my life." 

All those quoted above felt like giving up at times. But they trusted in Jehovah God and drew strength from his Word.  Bill put it this way.  "My faith gave meaning to my life when everything else seemed to have collapsed/  Though I walked for a time "in the valley of deep shadow,' God was with me." -PSALM 23:4.

Next time: When a Spouse Is Unfaithful -HOW SOME HAVE COPED

From the jw.org publications

When a Spouse Is Unfaithful

"I wanted to die when my husband said that he was leaving me for a younger woman.  It all seemed so unfair, especially when I remembered the sacrifices I had made for him." - Maria, Spain

"When my wife suddenly left me, it seemed that something died inside of me. Our dreams, our hopes and our plans had been destroyed. There were days when I thought I was free from any anxiety, only to find myself back in the depths of despair.: - Bill, Spain.

MARITAL unfaithfulness is devastating. True, some mates have found that they can forgive a repentant spouse and rebuild their relationship.  But whether the marriage survives or not, those who discover that their mate had been unfaithful invariably suffer intense agony.  How can such ones deal with their fragile emotions?

Next time: When a Spouse Is Unfaithful- BIBLE VERSES THAT CAN HELP

From the jw.org publications

When a Loved One Dies - HOW SOME HAVE COPED

ACCEPT HELP

One doctor says:  "The bereaved who allow friends and relatives to help them through [the] initial period  [of shock] ten to continue to move with some ease through the different phases of grief."  Let your friends know what they can do to help; they likely want to but might not know  how. -PROVERBS 17:17.

DRAW CLOSER TO GOD

Tina says:  "When I suddenly lost my husband to cancer, I could no longer confide in him, so I would tell God everything!  I started each day asking him to help me through the day.  God helped me in more ways than I can mention."  Tarsha, who was 22 years old when her mother died, says: "Bible reading was my daily source of comfort. It gave me something to think about."



VISUALIZE THE RESURRECTION

 Tina continues: "Initially, the resurrection hope didn't comfort me because I needed my husband-and my boys needed their father-right then.  However, now, four years later, I cling to this hope. It's a lifeline for me. I imagine seeing him again, and it brings me such peace and joy!"

You are not likely to experience instant relief from your grief. Nevertheless, Vanessa's experience can be reassuring.  She says,  "You think you'll never get through it, but you will see brighter days."

Remember, while the void you feel in your heart may not disappear, life is still worth living.  With God's tender help, you can still enjoy warm friendships and a purposeful life. And soon God will resurrect  the dead.  He wants you to be able to embrace your loved one again.  Then that pain in your heart will be healed forever!

BIBLE VERSES THAT CAN HELP

God cares about your grief and tears.

One Bible writer said to God:  "Do collect my tears in your skin bottle. Are they not recorded in your book!" -PSALM 56:8.

You can pour your heart out to God.

"Before [God] I tell my distress . . . I call to you, O Jehovah, for help." -PSALM 142:2, 5.

You can have hope.

"There is going to be a resurrection." -PSALM 24:15.

God promises to bring back to life countless people who have died, and he years to do so. -JOB 14:14, 15.

Next time: When a Spouse Is Unfaithful

From the jw. org publications

When a Loved One Dies - HOW SOME HAVE COPED

While your pain can be unending, you may find the following suggestions consoling:


ALLOW YOURSELF TO GRIEVE


Not everyone grieves in the same way or for the same amount of time. Still, crying can provide an outlet for fragile  moments.  Vanessa, quoted earlier, says:  "I would just cry; I needed to release the pain."  Sofia  whose sister died suddenly, says:  "Confronting my thoughts and feelings is very painful, like opening and cleaning an infected wound.  The pain is almost unbearable, but it allows the would to heal.


TALK ABOUT YOUR THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS


Understandable, at times you may wish to be alone. But grieve is a heavy burden to carry by yourself.  Seventeen-year-old Jared,  who lost his father, recalls:  "I talked about my emotions with others. I doubt I made much sense, but it was good to be able to express myself."  Janice, quoted in the opening article, adds another benefit: "Talking with others was tremendously comforting.  I felt understood, and I didn't feel so alone.


Next time: When a Loved One Dies - How Some Have Coped


From the jw.org publications

When a Loved One Dies

"I felt helpless when my older brother died unexpectedly.  Months later I would suddenly remember him and feel sick, as if a knife were stabbing me deep inside.  At times, I was also angry. Why did my brother have to die?  And I felt guilty for not having spent more time with him." -Vanessa, Australia.

IF You have lost someone you love in death, you too may have felt a wide range of emotions, from sorrow to loneliness and helplessness.  Perhaps you also felt anger, guilt, and fear.  You may have even wondered whether life is still worth living.

Be assured that grief is not a sign of weakness.  It indicates how much your loved one meant to you. However,  is it possible to find a measure of relief from you painful grief? 

Next time: When  a Loved One Dies - HOW SOME HAVE COPED

From the jw.org publications

When Disaster Strikes

Bible Verses That Can Help 

Get needed rest.

"Better is a handful of rest than two handfuls of hard work and chasing after the wind." - ECCLESIASTES  4:6

Researchers report that after a traumatic experience,  "a lack of quality sleep . . . can exacerbate your trauma symptoms and make it harder to maintain your emotional balance."  Therefore, it is wise to get sufficient rest. 

Discuss your feelings.

"Anxiety in a man's heart weighs it down [or, "depresses him,"] but a good word cheers it up." - PROVERBS 12:25.

Confide in a family member or trusted friend. In addition to providing a listening ear, family members or close friends can provide words of encouragement and give practical help.

Look ahead to better times. 

"There are new heavens and a new earth that  we are awaiting according to [God's s] promise, and in these righteousness is to dwell." - 2 PETER 3:13.

A person who experiences  prolonged stress or severe anxiety may need to seek medical treatment.

Next time: When a Loved One Dies

From the jw.org publications

When Disaster Strikes - KNOWING BIBLE TRUTH MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING

Ecclesiastes 7:8 says: "Better is the end of the matter than its beginning. "When you are just beginning to recover from a disaster, life may seem hopeless.  But as you patiently   work at rebuilding your life, things can get better.

The Bible foretells a time when "no more will there be heard . . .  the sound of weeping or a cry of distress."  (Isaiah  65:19)  This will be true when the earth is transformed into a paradise under God's Kingdom.  (Psalm 37:11, 29) Disasters will be  a thing from the past. Any painful memories and lingering trauma will be wiped out forever, because Almighty God promises:  "The former things will not be called to mind, nor will they come up into the heart." -Isaiah 65:17. 

Just think: The Creator has arranged "to give a future and a hope"--a peaceful life under God's perfect rulership.  (Jeremiah 29:11)  Can having knowledge of this truth make your life worth living? Sadly, quoted in the opening article, states, "Reminding yourself  of all the wonderful things that God's Kingdom is going to do for us can help you let go of the past and get through the present.

Why not learn more about what God's Kingdom will soon do for mankind?  Doing so can assure you that despite the disaster you have suffered, your life is worth living now as you eagerly await a disaster-free future.  In the meantime, the Bible provides practical guidance that can help you to cope with the aftermath of a disaster.  Consider a few examples.

Next time:When Disaster Strikes - Bible Verses That Can Help

From the jw.org publications

When Disaster Strikes

"Our first feeling was total despair.  Everything we owned had been destroyed by a mudslide and flooding." -Andrew, Sierra Leone.

"After the hurricane, we returned to our home.  Nothing was left.  We were speechless. My daughter dropped to her knees and wept." David, Virgin Islands.

If you have ever survived  a disaster, you may understand what other survivors have experienced: shock, denial, confusion, anxiety, and nightmares.  Many disheartened and fatigued survivors have little motivation to move on in life.

If your life has been devastated by a disaster, you too may feel that you are near the breaking point.  You may even begin to feel that your life is not worth living.  However, the Bible explains that your life is worth living and that you can have a firm basis for hope n a better future.

Next time: When Disaster Strikes -KNOWING THE BIBLE TRUTH MAKES LIFE WORTH LIVING

From the jw.org publications

When Life Seems Unbearable

Life can be pure bliss- when all goes well.  But if circumstances make your life seem unbearable?

For instance, Sally, in the United States who lost most of her possessions in  a hurricane, explains:  "I don't know how much more I could take.  Many days I felt that I was near a breaking point." 



Or what if a loved one dies?  Janice, in Australia, says:  "When I lost both my sons, I had to gather the fragments of my shattered life and reassemble them as best I could. I begged God:  'Please, my heart can't take any more!  Just let me sleep. I don't want to wake  up again.

Daniel, on the other hand, was devastated when his  wife was unfaithful. He explains:  "When my wife confessed that she had been  unfaithful, it was like a knife pierced my heart. I felt this physical pain stabbing me again and again-and it lasted several months."

This issue of the Watchtower will consider how life can be worth living even when  

Disaster strikes

A loved one dies

A spouse  is unfaithful

Life becomes unbearable  


Next time:  When Disaster Strikes

From the jw.org publications




.

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Hope

Learn More

How can my family be happy?

How can I make good friends and also be a good friend? 

What hope is there for my dead loved ones?

Will suffering ever end? 

Will humans eventually destroy the earth?

Do all religions lead to the true  God?


YOU CAN FIND THE ANSWERS TO THESE AND OTHER QUESTIONS

Visit the jw.org website, which is available in more than 900 languages.  There you can find helpful information on a broad range of topics.

 You can enjoy videos about people from a variety of backgrounds  who found the way of happiness and never looked back!  Some had even been drug addicts or prison inmates. Others are highly educated.  At jw.org you will be able to access or download a variety of Bibles and a wide array of other publications-all at no cost.  The many titles include the following:

* Your Family Can Be Happy

* Lasting peace and Happiness-How to  Find Them

* Good News From God!

Next time:  When Life Seems Unbearable

From the jw.org publications  

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS -Hope

THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

Jesus foretold that the last days would be marked, not by peace and security, but by the very opposite!  His composite sign of "the conclusion of the system of things" includes international warfare, food shortages, pestilences, and great earthquakes.  (Matthew 24:3, 7; Luke 21:10, 11; Revelation 6:3-8)  Jesus also said:  "Because of the increasing of lawlessness, the love of the greater number will grow cold." - Matthew 24:12. 

That coldness is evident in many ways, which another Bible writer specifically foretold.  At Timothy 3:1-5, we read that in "the last days," people in general  would be obsessed with self, money, and pleasures.  They would be arrogant and fierce.  Families would lack natural affection, and children would be disobedient to their parents. Religious hypocrisy would be commonplace. 

Those stormlike conditions confirm that this world is in it last days.  Those also confirm that the calm of the Kingdom rule is near.  Indeed, Jesus  included  the following assurance in his prophecy about the last days.  "This good news of the Kingdom will be preached  in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and the end will come. " - Matthew 24:14. 

That good news gives fair warning to wrongdoers and hope for the righteous, assuring the latter that the promised blessings will soon become reality.  

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - LEARN MORE

From the jw.org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Hope

AN END TO WARFARE:  "Jehovah . . . is bringing an end to wars throughout the earth.  He breaks the bow and shatters the spear, he burns military wagons with fire." - Psalm 46:8, 9.

NO MORE SICKNESS, SUFFERING, OR DEATH:   "The tent of God is with mankind . . .  He will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry not pain be anymore."
 -Revelation 21:3,4.

AMPLE FOOD FOR ALL: "There will be an abundance of grain on the earth; on the top of the mountains it will overflow." - Psalm 72:16.

A JUST RULERSHIP BY ONE WORLD GOVERNMENT--CHRIST'S KINGDOM:   "To [Jesus Christ] there were given rulership, honor, and a kingdom, that the peoples,nations, and language  groups should all serve him.  His rulership is an everlasting  rulership that will not pass away, and his kingdom will not be destroyed." - Daniel 7:14.

How can we be sure of those promises?  When on earth, Jesus publicly confirmed his credentials as King Designate.  He healed the sick, fed the poor, and raised the dead. Even more important were his teachings, for they include principles that will enable people to live together forever in peace and unity. Jesus also foretold future events, including those that would mark the final days of the present world. 

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Hope - THE STORM BEFORE THE CALM

From the jw.org publications 

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Hope

"[I have] thoughts of peace , and not of calamity, to give you a future and a hope." -JEREMIAH 2:9, 11. 

"HOPE IS . . .AN ESSENTIAL ELEMENT OF OUR SPIRITUAL LIFEBLOOD,"  states the book Hope in the Age of Anxiety.  "And it is the best medicine for overcoming feelings of helplessness, alienation, and fear." 

Our need for hope is reflected  in the pages of the Bible, which also cautions us against false hopes:  "Do not put your trust in princes, nor in a son of man, who cannot bring salvation," says Psalm 146:3.   Instead of trusting human efforts to save us, we are wise to trust in our Creator, who has the power to fulfill all his promises.  What has he promised us? Consider the following. 

WICKEDNESS WILL END; LASTING PEACE FOR THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FOLLOW:  "Just a little while longer, and the wicked will be no more  . . . but he meek will inherit the earth,  and they will find  exquisite delight in the abundance of peace," states Psalm 37:10, 11. Verse 29 adds that "the righteous  . . . will live forever" on the earth. 

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Hope

From the jw.org publications 

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Purpose in Life

PLASMA SCIENTIST DR. HUABI YIN. Huabi Yin  studied physics, and for many years, she did research on plasma.  Considered the fourth state of matter, plasma (as in the sun) is composed largely of electrons and positive ions. 

"Whenever we scientists study natural phenomena," says Huabi "we always find a high degree of order, which is a result of precise laws.  'How did these laws arise?'  I wondered.  'If even a simple cooking fire must be carefully controlled, who is responsible for the laws that regulate the sun?'  In time, I concluded that the first statement in the Bible is the most logical answer: "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.'" - Genesis 1:1.

Science, to be sure, has shed light on many "how" questions, such as:  How do brain cells work?  And how does the sun generate heat and light?  But as Alexei and Huabi discovered, the Bible answers the more important  "why" questions:  Why does the universe exist?  Why is it governed by laws? And why do we exist?

Regarding the earth, the Bible says: "[God} did not create it simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited."  (Isaiah 45:18) Yes, God has a purpose for the earth, and as the next article will show, that purpose is clearly related to our hop for the future.

KEY POINTS

'God did not create the earth simply for nothing, but formed it to be inhabited.' -ISAIAH 45:18. 

"We need something to live for"

"To keep alive and mentally healthy we need something to live for," wrote William McDougall, a professor of psychology.  In a similar vein, Carol Ryff, is also a professor of psychology, said that people whose "lives  have purpose show widespread health benefits-they have reduced the risk for cognitive  [mental] impairment . . ., reduced risk for cardiovascular disease, better recovery profiles from stroke . . . and, relatedly, they live longer." 

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Hope

From the jw.org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS -Purpose in Life

NEUROSURGEON DR. ALEXEI MARNOV.  "The schools I attended taught atheism and evolution," he said.  "Anyone believing in God was considered uniformed."  In 1990, however, his thinking began to change. 

"I have always tried to understand the logical reason for things," he explains,  "including the human brain. This amazing organ has rightly been called the most complex structure in the known universe.  But was the the brain designed to gain knowledge and skills then die? This seemed pointless, unreasonable.  So I began to wonder:  "Why are we here?  What is the purpose of life? After some serious reflection, I concluded that there must be a Creator." 

The quest for life's purpose led Alexei to examine the Bible.  Later, his wife, a medical doctor who was also an atheist, studied the Bible as well-initially to prove her husband wrong!  Now, however, both firmly believe in God and understand his purpose for humankind as explained  in the Scriptures. 

Next time:  THE WAY OF HAPPINESS -Purpose in Life

From the jw.org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS -Purpose in Life

HUMANS ARE UNIQUE IN MANY WAYS- WE WRITE, WE PAINT, WE CREATE, AND WE THINK ABOUT LIFE'S QUESTIONS:  Why does the universe exist?  How did we come to be?  What is the purpose of life?  What does the future hold?

Some people shy away from those questions, thinking that the answers are beyond us.  Others says that such questions are pointless because life is a product of mindless evolution.  "There are no god's, no purposes," claimed professor of history and biology William Provine.  He added:  "There is no ultimate foundation for ethics, no ultimate meaning in life." 

Some people, however, consider that fatalistic outlook unacceptable.  They see a universe that is governed by  precise, elegant, mathematical laws.  They marvel at the impressive designs in nature, some of which humans try to mimic in man-made products.  And everyday experience tells them that complex , highly functional designs point to intelligence, not undirected forces. 

Such reasoning has moved some evolutionists to reconsider their position,  Note the following examples.

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Purpose in Life

From the jw.org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - BIBLE PRINCIPLES THAT REALLY WORK!

After studying the Bible, Patricia, quoted at the outset, learned to forgive.  "I feel liberated from the anger that poisoned my life," she wrote.  "I no longer suffer, and I don't make others suffer.  Bible principles confirm that God loves us and wants the best for us." 

A man named Ron said:  "I could not control the thoughts and actions of others.  But I could control my own.  If I wanted peace, I had to let go of the resentment.  I began to view peace and resentment as north and south.  I could not be in both places at the same time.  I now have a good conscience."

KEY POINTS

"Continue putting up with one another and forgiving one another freely." -COLOSSIANS  3:13. 

Forgiveness leads to . . .

* Healthier relationships and inner peace

* Less anxiety, hostility, and stress

* Improved physical, mental, and spiritual health

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS- Purpose in Life

From the jw.org publications 

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Forgiveness

FORGIVE YOURSELF.  Self-forgiveness can be "the most difficult to achieve," yet "the most important to health" -mental and physical-according to the journal Disability & Rehabilitation. What can help you to forgive yourself? 

* Do not expect perfection from yourself, but realistically accept that you -like all of us-will make mistakes. -ECCLESIASTES 7:20.

* Learn from your errors so that you will be less likely to repeat them.

* Be patient with yourself; some personality flaws and bad habits may not go away overnight. - EPHESIANS 4:23, 24.

* Associate with friends who are encouraging, positive, and kind but who will be honest with you. - PROVERBS 13:20.

* If you hurt someone, take responsibility for it and be quick to apologize.  When you make peace, you will gain inner peace. 

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - BIBLE PRINCIPLES THAT REALLY WORK!

From the jw. org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Forgiveness

"DURING MY CHILDHOOD, I HEARD A LOT OF INSULTS AND SCREAMING, said a woman named Patricia.  "I did not learn to forgive. Even as an adult,I would dwell on an offense for days, losing sleep." Yes, a life filled with anger and resentment is neither a happy one nor a healthy one. Indeed, studies show that unforgiving people may . . .

*Let anger or bitterness sour relationship;s, leading to isolation and loneliness

* Become easily offended, anxious , or even severely depressed

*  Become so focused on a wrong that they cannot enjoy life

* Feel that they are at odds with their spiritual values

* Experience increased stress and a higher risk of ill health, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and pain disorders, such as arthritis   and headaches."

WHAT IS FORGIVENESS?  Forgiveness means pardoning an offender and letting go of anger,  resentment, and thoughts of revenge. It does not mean condoning a wrong minimizing it, or pretending that it did not happen. Rather, forgiveness is a well-thought out personal choice that reflects a loving commitment to peace and to building or maintaining a good relationship with the other person. 

Forgiveness also reflects understanding.  A forgiving person understands that we all err, or sin, in word and deed.  (Romans 3:23)   Reflecting such insight, the Bible says:  "Continue putting up with one another and forgiving each other even if anyone has a cause for complaint against another."  -COLOSSIANS 3:13.

It stands to reason, then, that forgiveness is an important facet of love, which is "a perfect bond of union." (COLOSSIANS 3:14)  Indeed,  according to the Mayo Clinic, website, forgiveness leads to . . .

* Healthier relationships,including feelings of empathy, understanding, and compassion for the offender

* Improved mental and spiritual well-being

*  Less anxiety, stress, and hostility

* Fewer symptoms of depression

 Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Forgiveness 

From the jw.org publications 

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - UNITED BY "A PERFECT BOND OF UNION

Jesus Christ taught important principles on marriage.  For instance, he said:  " A man will leave his father and his mother ad will stick to his wife, and the two will be one flesh.' . . .  Therefore, what God has yoked together , let no man put apart."  (Matthew  19:5, 6) At least two important principles stand out.

"  "THE TWO WILL BE ONE FLESH. "  Marriage is the most important union humans can have, and love can protect it against infidelity-that is, the husband or wife becoming "one body" with someone other than his or her spouse.  (1 Corinthians  6:16; Hebrews 13:4)    Unfaithfulness shatters trust and can wreck the marriage.  If children are involved, they may be emotionally traumatized, feeling unloved, insecure, or even resentful.

"WHAT GOD HAS YOKED TOGETHER."  Marriage is also a sacred union.  Couples who respect that fact strive to strengthen their marriage.  They do not look for a way out when difficulties arise.  Their love is strong and resilient.  Such a love "bears all things," working through difficulties in an effort to maintain marital harmony and peace.

When self-sacrificing love exists between parents, any children in the family benefit greatly.  A young woman named Jessica observed:  "My father and mother truly love and respect each other.  When I see my mother respect my father, especially when dealing with us children, it makes me want to be just like her."

Love is God's foremost quality.   In fact,  the Bible says: "God is love."  (1 John 4:8)  It thus comes as no surprise that Jehovah is also called "the happy God." (1 Timothy 1:11)  We too will be happy when we strive to  imitate our Creator's qualities-especially his love. Says (Ephesians 5:1, 2)  "Become imitators of God, as beloved children and go on walking in love."

KEY POINTS

'Love is patient  and kind. It bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails." - 1 CORINTHIANS 13-4-8.

* Helps us to show sincere concern for the welfare of others

* Can grow stronger over time

* Gives strength and resilience to friendships and marriages 

* Helps children to thrive and feel secure

* Makes us more like our Creator

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Forgiveness

From the jw.org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Love

I am back doing blogs now, but am still trying to get back into the routine.  It has been a mess, not just moving, unpacking and putting things away, but I have been sick.  But I am going to be doing blogs.  Just be patient and I will get back into the regular routine.  Thank you for reading the truth. Have a great day.



HUMANS CRAVE LOVE.   No marriage, family, or friendship can thrive without it.  It stands to reason, therefore, that love is essential to mental health and happiness.  What, though, is meant by "love"?  

The love referred here is not romantic love, which, of course, has its place.  Rather, it is a superior  form of love that causes a person to show sincere concern for the welfare of others, even putting them before self.  It is love that is guided by godly principles but is by no means devoid of warmth and feeling.

 A beautiful description of love states: "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous. It does not brag, does  not get puffed up, does not behave indecently, does not look for its own interests, does not become provoked.  It does not keep account of the injury. It does not rejoice over unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, . . .hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."- 1 CORINTHIANS  13:4-8. 

Such love "never fails"  in that it will never cease to exist.  Indeed, it can strong stronger over time.  And because it is patient, kind, and forgiving, it is a perfect bond of union."  (Colossians 3:14) Hence, relationships bound by such love are both secure and happy despite the imperfections of the individuals.  For example, consider the marriage union.

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - UNITED BY "A PERFECT BOND OF UNION" 

From the jw.org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Conclusion of Physical Health and Resilience

BUILD RESILIENCE. Like Ulf, mentioned earlier, we may have no choice but to endure a persistent trial.  Still, we can choose how we endure.  Some become overwhelmed with discouragement, which may only make matters worse.  "If  you become discouraged in the day of distress, your strength will be meager, says Proverbs 24:10.

Others, perhaps after initial feelings of despair, bounce back, they adapt.  They find ways to cope.  That was the case with Ulf.  He said after much prayer and meditation on the Bible's positive message, he "started to see opportunities instead of obstacles."  Moreover, like many who undergo major trials, he learned valuable lessons in compassion and empathy, which moved him to share the Bible's comforting message with others. 

Another person who suffered greatly was a man named Steve.  At age 15, he had an accidents that paralyzed him from the neck down.  By the time he was 18, he had regained the use of his arms. He then went to a  university, where his life spiraled into drugs, alcohol, and sexual immorality.  He had no hope-until he began to study the Bible, which gave him a new outlook on life and helped him to conquer his bad habits. "The emptiness that I had felt for so long  was no longer there," he said.  "My life is now filled with peace,  happiness, and contentment." 

Steve and Ulf's comments call to mind the words at Psalm 19:7, 8:  "The law of Jehovah is perfect restoring strength.  The orders from Jehovah are righteous, causing the heart to rejoice; the commandment of Jehovah is clean, making the eyes shine.  

KEY POINTS

When applied,  God's laws and principles 'restore strength, cause the heart to rejoice, and make the eyes shine.' - PSALM 19:7, 8. 

The Bible encourages us to

* Be moderate in habits

* Take good care of our body

* View life as sacred

* Control negative emotions

* Focus on positive thoughts

* Build resilience

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Love

From the jw.org publications

I will be back doing my blogs  Thursday or Friday morning. Please join me. Am  finally moved and ready. Sorry it took so long could not be helped.. font too small on phone for me

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Continue with Physical Health and Resilience

VIEW YOUR BOY AS YOUR LIFE AS PRECIOUS GIFTS.   "By [God] we have life and move and exist." (Acts 17:28)  Appreciating that fact moves us to avoid taking needless risks, whether we are at work, driving or choosing our recreation.  A momentary thrill is not worth a life of disability! 

CONTROL NEGATIVE EMOTIONS.  Your  mind and body are closely linked.  So try to avoid undue anxiety, unbridled anger, envy, and other harmful emotions  "Let go of anger and abandon rage," says Psalm 37:8.  We also read:  "Never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties." - MATTHEW 6:34.

TRY TO FOCUS ON POSITIVE THOUGHTS.  "A calm heart gives life to the body," says (Proverbs 14:30)   The Bible also states:  "A joyful heart is good medicine." (Proverbs 17:22)  That is a scientifically sound statement.  "If you are happy," said a doctor in Scotland, "your are likely  in the future to have less in the way of physical illness that those who are unhappy.

Next time: THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Conclusion of Physical Health and Resilience

From the jw.org publications

THE WAY OF HAPPINESS - Physical Health and Resilience

Tomorrow, I will be moving to my new apartment. I won't be on for a day or two, more or less. Hopefully, before that. But I will trying my best to get back on as I can. Please continue to be patient.  This move is important.  Thank you for reading this blog.



CHRONIC ILL HEALTH OR DISABILITY CAN HAVE A MAJOR IMPACT ON A PERSON'S LIFE.  After becoming physically impaired, a once active healthy man named Ulf said:  "I became deeply depressed. My strength, courage, and power drained away . . . I felt 'destroyed.'"

Ulf's experience reminds us that none of us have complete control over our health.  Still, we can take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of ill health.  But what if our health deteriorates?  Does that doom us to unhappiness?  Not at all, as we shall see. First, though, let us consider some principles that promote good health. 

BE "MODERATE IN HABITS."  (1 Timothy 3:2)  Habitually eating or drinking to excess is obviously bad for our health-not to mention our finances!"  "Do not be among those who drink too much wine, among those who gorge themselves on meat, for a drunkard and glutton will come to poverty." -PROVERBS  23:20, 21. 

DO NOT POLLUTE  YOUR BODY.  "Let us cleanse ourselves of every defilement of flesh and spirit."  (2 Corinthians 7:1) People defile their bodies when they chew or smoke tobacco or abuse alcohol or drugs.  Smoking, for example, "leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body," says the U.S. Centers for disease Control and Prevention. 

Next time: Continue with THE WAY OF HAPPINESS-Physical Health and Resilience

From the jw.org publications