Keep Your Senses When Your Loyalty Is Tested - WHEN WE STRUGGLE TO ADAPT TO ORGAINZATIONAL CHANGES

 Consider the example of Zaina, a sister in the Middle East, who received a change of assignment and lost a cherish privilege.  She was reassigned to the field after serving at Bethel for more than 23 years.  She says: "My change of assignment was big shock. I felt useless and kept asking myself, 'Where did I fail?'"  Sadly, some brothers and sisters in the congregation added to her pain by telling her: "Had you been good enough, the organization  would not have let you go."  For some time, Zaina felt so downhearted that she cried every night. But she says: "I never allowed myself to doubt the organization or Jehovah's love." How was Zaina able to keep her senses?

Zaina was able to overcome her negative feelings.  How?  She read articles in our publications that addressed her personal challenge. The article "You Can Cope With Discouragement!"  in the Febuary 1,  2001, issue of the Watchtower helped her alot. That article explains how the Bible writer Mark may have struggled with similar feelings when he received assignment changes.  Zaina recalls,  "Mark's example was my medicine  for overcoming discouragement." Zaina also stayed close to her friends. She did not isolate herself, not did she give in to feelings of self-pity. She concluded that Jehovah's spirit operates through his organization and that those taking the lead cared for her deeply. But she also realized that God's organization must do what is best to get Jehovah's work done.

Vlado, a 73-year-old elder in Slovenia, struggled when his congregation merged with another congregation and the Kingdom Hall that he attended would be closed.  He says:  "I did not understand why such a beautiful Kingdom Hall would be closed.  I felt hurt because we had recently renovated the hall, and I am a carpenter, and I had built some of the new furniture. Also, the reorganization required many adjustments  that were not easy for us older publishers."   What helped Vlado to support the direction?  He explains: "Adapting to changes made by Jehovah's organization always brings blessings. These refinements  are preparing us for even greater changes in the future." Are you struggling with the adjustments that come with a congregation merge or an assignment change?  Be assured that Jehovah understands your feelings. When you support such changes and loyally stick to Jehovah and the organization that he is using, you will surely be blessed. - PSALM 18:25.

Next time: Keep Your Senses When Your Loyalty Is  Tested - KEEP  YOUR SENSES IN ALL THINGS

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