Keep Your Senses When Your Loyalty Is Tested - WHEN WE FEEL MISTREATED BY A FELLOW CHRISTIAN

 Have you ever felt mistreated by a fellow Christian, perhaps someone in a  position of responsibility?  Likely, the brother did not intend to hurt you. (Romans 3:23; James 3:2)  Still, his actions may have upset you. You may have lost sleep thinking about the matter. You may have even wondered, 'if a brother can act this way, is this really God's organization?  That is exactly how Satan wants us to react. (2 Corinthians 2:11) Such negative thinking could cause us to separate ourselves from Jehovah and his organization. So if we feel that a brother or a sister has mistreated us, how can we keep our senses and avoid giving in to harmful thinking? 

Do not become embittered.  When Joseph was a teenager, his older brothers mistreated him.  They hated him, and some of them even wanted to kill him.  (Genesis 37:4, 18-22) Eventually, they sold him into slavery.  As a result, Joseph faced severe trials that lasted about 13 years.  Joseph could have questions whether Jehovah really loved him. And he could have wondered if Jehovah had abandoned him in his time of need. But Joseph did not become embittered.  Instead, he kept his senses by remaining calm.  When he  had the chance to retaliate against his brothers, he refrained from doing so and showed love for them and forgave them. (Genesis 45:4, 5)  Joseph behaved this way because he was able to think clearly.  Rather than focus on his problems, he saw the big picture-Jehovah's purpose.  (Read Genesis 50:19-21.)  What is the lesson?  If you are mistreated, do not become embittered against Jehovah or wonder if he has abandoned you.  Instead, meditate on how he is helping you to endure the trial. Additionally, when others mistreat you, try to cover up their imperfections with love. - 1 PETER 4:8.

Consider a modern-day experience of an elder from South America named Miqueas.  He recalled a time when he felt that he had been harshly treated by some brothers in positions of responsibility.  He said: "I had never experienced that kind of stress before.  I was frightened. I could not sleep at night, and I shed tears of helplessness." Still Miqueas  kept his senses and worked hard to control his feelings.  He prayed frequently, asking Jehovah to give him holy spirit and strength to endure.  He also looked up information in our publications that could help him. What is the lesson?  If you feel mistreated by a brother or a sister, remain calm and try to control any negative feelings  that you may have. You may not know that circumstances could caused the person to speak or act that way. So talk to Jehovah in prayer, and ask him to help you see matters from the other person's standpoint.  Doing so may help you give your fellow worshipper the benefit of the doubt and to overlook the offense.  (Proverbs 19:11)  Remember, Jehovah is aware of your situation and he will give you the strength you need to endure. 2 CHRONICLES 16:9; Ecclesiastes 5:8.

Next time: Keep Your Senses When  Your Loyalty Is Tested - WHEN WE RECEIVE DISCIPLINE

From the jw.org publications