What Can Be Done About Discouragement?

Maintaining a Good Attitude

Having clearly in mind the goals set by Jesus will help us not to become discouraged in the face of indifference in the ministry. Christ wanted his disciples to search out deserving ones, not to perform mass conversions. On several occasions he pointed out that the vast majority would not accept the good news, just as most Israelites did not listen to the prophets of old. -Ezekiel 9:4; Matthew 10:11-15; Mark 4:14-20.

The "good news of the kingdom" is received with gratitude by individuals "conscious of their spiritual need." (Matthew 5:3; 24:14) They want to serve God in the way that he specifies. Hence the results of our activity are related more to the heart condition of the people than to our aptitude for presenting the message. Of course, we need to do our best to make the good news appealing. Yet, the results depend on God, for Jesus said: "No man can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, draws him." -John6:44.

Our evangelizing work makes Jehovah's name known. Whether people listen or not, our preaching activity contributes to the sanctification of Jehovah's holy name. Furthermore, by means of our evangelizing work, we prove that we are Christ's disciples, and we have the privilege of sharing in the most important mission being carried out in our day. -Matthew 6:9; John 15:8.

Next time: Discouragement and Relationships

Watchtower, 1999

"Jehovah Himself Gives Wisdom"

WHAT pursuits consume your time and energy? Is making a good name for yourself a matter of concern to you? Do you devote yourself to the gathering of the riches? How about pursuing a career in a certain field of endeavor or developing expertise in one or more branches of learning? Is cultivating good relationship with others importance to you? Is staying in good health your main concern?

All of the foregoing may seem to have some value. But what is of prime importance? The Bible answers: "Wisdom is the prime thing. Acquire wisdom." ( Proverbs 4:7) So how may we gain wisdom, and what are its benefits? The second chapter of the Bible book of Proverbs provides the answers.

Next time: "Pay Attention to Wisdom"

Watchtower, 1999

"SEARCH FOR JEHOVAH AND HIS STRENGTH"

Seek the Power That Jehovah Gives

Jehovah can empower his servants as well as protect them. The Bible urges us to "search for Jehovah and his strength." (Psalm 105:4) Why? Because when we do things in God's strength, our power will be used for the benefit, rather than the harm, of others. Nowhere do we find a better example of this than in Jesus Christ, who performed many miracles In "Jehovah's power." (Luke 5:17) Jesus could have dedicated himself to becoming rich, famous, or even an all-powerful king. (Luke 4:5-7) Instead, he used the power God gave him to train and to teach,m to help and to heal. (Mark 7:37; John 7:46) What a fine example for us!

Furthermore, when we do things in "the strength that God supplies," This will help us to keep humble. (1Peter 4:11) men who seek power for themselves become presumptuous. A case in point is Assyrian King Esar-haddon, who boastfully declared: "I am powerful, I am all powerful, I am a hero, I am gigantic, I am colossal." In contrast, Jehovah "chose the weak things of the world, that he might put the strong things to shame." Thus, if a true Christian boasts, he boasts in Jehovah, for he knows that what he has done has not been accomplished in his own strength. 'Humbling ourselves under the mighty hand of God' will bring true exaltation. - 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 1Peter 5:6.

How do we draw on God's strength? First of all,we have to ask for it in prayer. Jesus assured his disciples that his Father would give holy spirit to those requesting it. (Luke 11:10-13) Consider how this imbued Christ's disciples with power when they chose to obey God rather than the religious leaders who had ordered them to stop witnessing about Jesus. When they prayed for Jehovah's help, their sincere prayer was answered, and holy spirit it empowered them to continue preaching the good news with boldness. -Acts 4:19, 20, 29-31, 33.

Next time: Conclusion of Seek the Power That Jehovah Gives

Watchtower, 2000

DO YOU HAVE"THE MIND OF CHRIST?"

Willing to Trust Others

Jesus had a balanced, realistic view of his disciples. He well knew that they were not perfect, after all, he could read human hearts. (John 2:24, 25) Even so, he saw them not simply in terms of their imperfection but in terms of their good qualities. He also saw the potential in these men whom Jehovah had drawn. (John 6:44) Jesus' positive view of his disciples was evident in the way he dealt with and treated them. For one thing he showed a willingness to trust them.

How did Jesus demonstrate that trust? When he left the earth, he delegated a heavy responsibility to his anointed disciples. He placed in their hands the responsibility of caring for the worldwide interests of his Kingdom. (Matthew 25:14, 15; Luke 12:42-44) During his ministry, he showed even in small, indirect ways that he trusted them. When he miraculously multiplied food to feed the crowds, he delegated to his disciples the responsibility of distributing the food. -Matthew 14:15-21; 15:32-37.

Consider too, the account recorded at Mark 4:35-41. On this occasion Jesus and his disciples boarded a boat and sailed east across the Sea of Galilee. Shortly after they shoved off, Jesus lay down in the back of the boat and fell fast asleep. Soon, however, "a great violent windstorm broke out." Such storms were not uncommon on the Sea of Galilee. Because of its low elevation (some 700 feet below sea level), the air is much warmer there than in the surrounding area, and this creates atmospheric disturbances. Added to this, strong winds rush down the Jordan Valley from Mount Hermon situated to the north. The calm of one moment may well yield to the raging storm of the next. Think about this: Jesus undoubtedly knew of the common storms, for he was raised in Galilee. Yet, he slept in peace, trusting in the skills of his disciples,some of whom were fishermen. -Matthew 4:18, 19.

Can we imitate Jesus' willingness to trust his disciples? Some find it difficult to delegate responsibilities to others. They must always be at the helm, so to speak. They may think, 'if I want something done right, I must do it myself!' But if we have to do everything ourselves, we are in danger of wearing ourselvs out and perhaps taking unnecessary time away from our family. Besides, if we do not delegate appropriate tasks and responsibilities to others, we may be depriving them of needed experience and training. It would be wise to learn to trust others, delegating matters to them. We do well to ask ourselves honestly 'Do I have the mind of Christ on this matter? Do I willingly delegate certain tasks to others, trusting them to do their best?'

Next time: He Expressed Belief in His Disciples

Watchtower, 2000

STUDY - REWARDING AND ENJOYABLE

Developing a Fondness for God's Word

The composer of Psalm 119, perhaps Hezekiah while yet a young prince, expressed his fondness for Jehovah's word. In poetic language, he said: "For your statues I shall show a fondness. I shall not forget your word. Also,I shall show a fondness for your commandment that I have loved. Let your mercies come to me,that I may keep living; for your law is what I am fond of. I have longed for your salvation, O Jehovah, and your law I am fond of."-Psalms 119:16, 24, 47,77, 174.

Explaining the word translated "show a fondness" in Psalm 119, one dictionary on the Hebrew Scriptures states: "The usage in v. 16 parallels the [verbs] for rejoicing . . . and for meditation . . . The progression is: rejoice, meditate, delight in . . .This combination may suggest that purposeful reflection is the means by which one comes to take delight in the word of Yahweh . . .The meaning includes an emotive element."

Yes, our love for Jehovah Word should come from our heart, the seat of emotion. We should take pleasure in lingering over certain passages that we have just read. We should muse over deep spiritual thoughts, become absorbed in them, and meditate on them. This requires quiet reflection and prayer. Like Ezra, we need to prepare our hearts for the reading and study of God's Word. Of him it is written: "Ezra himself had prepared his heart to consult he law of Jehovah and to do it and to teach in Israel regulation and justice." (Ezra 7:10) Note the triple purpose of Ezra's preparing his heart; to study, to make personal application and to teach. We should follow his example.

Next time: Study as an Act of Worship

Watchtower, 2000