Could You Use Some Comfort or Encouragement Now?

[Beggar for the Spirit]

Hi Everyone,

 

Lately as I have been reading some of the posts and as well as receiving PMs from some, it seems like so many of you are going through, not just a rough moment, but a more intense trial or problem and this is causing a deep sadness. So I thought that it might be very comforting and refreshing and encouraging to share some special GEMS that can help with these trials and sad situations that you are suffering with now.  

And please know this:  

That if I lived close to you, then I would grab a brother/elder and come by to visit you and encourage you! As you are my friends! But before coming over, I would get your favorite dessert(What do you like? Cherry Pie? Macaroons? Fudge Brownies?).  As well as bring you a "Gift Bag" of goodies, chocolates, etc! 

 

So if you are in need of an "Encouraging Visit" now, then here are some of the Special Gems I would share with you!

(Just imagine eating your favorite dessert while reading these comforting GEMS!) 

Quote

*** w06 10/1 p. 25 par. 17 Courage Strengthened by Love ***
 Chronic illness can also be discouraging, even depressing. “In the group I attend,” says a congregation elder, “one sister suffers from diabetes and kidney failure, one has cancer, two have severe arthritis, and one has both lupus and fibromyalgia. Sometimes they feel down. Yet, they miss meetings only when they are very ill or in the hospital. All are regular in the field service. They remind me of Paul, who said: ‘

When I am weak, then I am powerful.’ I admire their love and their courage.

Perhaps their situation gives them a clearer focus on life and on what really matters.”—2 Corinthians 12:10.

Have you ever thought about how your trial, or your health issue, or your deep sadness from having a disfellowshipped son/daughter/mother, or feeling extremely lonely, or any trial you may be having right now - that by leaning on your Father Jehovah that you may have a much "clearer focus on life and on what really matters" compared to some people who seem to have little problems or suffering in life but are losing or have lost focus on the "more important things" of life?

So this is 1 reason why a man who suffered badly at times, like some of you, said under inspiration,

". . .So I take pleasure in weaknesses, in insults, in times of need, in persecutions and difficulties, for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am powerful." (2 CO 12:10) 

So please meditate on that special GEM and then please feel encouraged by it!  And also by the next GEM that adds on even more encouragement and refreshment! 

Quote

*** w10 3/15 p. 18 par. 16 Walk by Spirit and Live Up to Your Dedication ***
What you have to contend with may at times leave you feeling lost, as if you were in a long tunnel of problems. That is especially a time for you to turn to Jehovah, asking for his holy spirit. “When I am weak,” wrote the apostle Paul, “then I am powerful.” (Read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10; 12:10.) Paul knew that God’s spirit can make up for human weaknesses, regardless of their nature. Thus, God’s active force can strengthen you whenever you feel weak and in need of help. Paul wrote that he could “take pleasure in weaknesses.”

It was when he was weak that he felt holy spirit operating on him. You can experience the same feeling!—Rom. 15:13.

There likely is not 1 worldly person on the entire earth who would ever "take pleasure" when feeling weak due to a trial or problem.  But you can and will, since you are 1 of Jehovah's "precious" people(HAG 2:7) you literally can take pleasure in weaknesses even though you are hurting now, even though you are suffering now. Why?

 

Because what Brother or Sister doesn't want to know that Jehovah cares about them and loves them and is helping them? We all yearn for this reassurance! So if you are hurting right now or suffering in some way, but yet somehow you are doing things for Jehovah that most people in the world would have already given up on, such as preaching to others when you are able, or making some meetings, or trying to help others even though you could really use help yourself, then this is His Spirit operating upon you!

And that you can take a deep PLEASURE in this despite the hurt and pain caused by others!  

 

Now while we don't get a tingly feeling or our hair doesn't stand up when we receive Holy Spirit, you can still "feel" this Holy Spirit as this article mentioned, not literally feel it, but you can feel it operating on you by closely observing the good and positive "effects" that it has upon you. Would you like to read an example of this? Well here is a very excellent example in this final GEM!  

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*** w09 7/1 p. 11 Can You Find Peace in This Troubled World? ***
 “The peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.” This peace does not come through mere meditation or character development. Rather, it comes from God. This peace is so powerful that it “excels all thought.” It surely surpasses all our anxieties, knowledge, and reasoning. We might see no way out of our problems... 

 but “all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27) Faith and trust in God help us to control our worries. Think of a young child lost in a big store. He knows for sure that all he has to do is find Mommy and everything will be fine again. Like that child when he is found, we can trust that God will take us in his arms, so to speak. He will soothe us and finally chase away all our anxieties.

 

*** g01 7/22 pp. 14-15 How Can Prayer Help Me? ***
Barbara recalls “going through a trialsome time” some years ago. She says: “My job, family, friends—nothing seemed to be working out. I didn’t know what to do.” Barbara instinctively prayed for help. But there was a problem. “I didn’t know what to ask Jehovah for,” she says. “Finally, I asked for peace of mind. I asked every night that he would help me not to worry about everything.”
How did that prayer help her?

She says: “A few days later, I realized that although my problems hadn’t disappeared, I wasn’t so occupied or concerned with them anymore.” The Bible promises: “Let your petitions be made known to God; and the peace of God that excels all thought will guard your hearts and your mental powers by means of Christ Jesus.”—Philippians 4:6, 7.

So if you have not had a chance to do so yet, please, ask our Father specifically in your next prayer for this "special" Peace that only comes from Him! 

Edited August 5, 2017 by Beggar for the Spirit

[Intercore]

Neil...!!! 

[Miss Bea]

Neil, thanks so very much. I loved the visit.  pretty special!

[Vido]

Thank you brother Neil.....Just concluded reading the watchtower article that will be discussed this week;

 

Indeed, what a God of true comfort we have: After such an extensive and rich discussion on how we can face up to challenges that may rob us of joy, the closing paragraph sums it up quite nicely; " Knowing that Jehovah is the source of lasting comfort will help us to endure courageously whatever tribulations we face- now and in the future.....

[Doug]

Thanks Bro'.

On the point of "I take pleasure in weakness":  I have often been far more concerned about the friends who seem to 'have it all' .

Good job. Dad is serving in the congregation. Stay-at-home Mom. Charming kids.

My concern is: How will they handle the tests that will come?

Those of us who have been knocked-around already know how we will respond to future tests, having been through some (experience).

Perhaps, to some degree, that's why Paul said "I take pleasure in weakness". Bring it on! The more practice the better.

[Hope]

You are very kind...

[Omoyeme]

17 hours ago, Beggar for the Spirit said:

 So if you are in need of an "Encouraging Visit" now, then here are some of the Special Gems I would share with you!

(Just imagine eating your favorite dessert while reading these comforting GEMS!) 

 

Your timely post is received with deep appreciation Bro. Neil...and for helping me to remember that "stressed", spelled in reversed, is desserts! 

Edited August 5, 2017 by Omo_Yeme

[2EVES]

"May Jehovah reward you for what you have done" Ru 2:12. 

[hatcheckgirl]

Thank you Bro Neil.  May Jehovah give you a "well-done" sticker for always encouraging us! You remind me about Job, who even though he was suffering said this about helping others who were down:

"I would strengthen you with the words of my mouth and the consolation of my lips would bring relief" Job 16:5.  Your posts bring relief.

 

It is true that there is much to be said in helping others find comfort, for that helps us too.  In our WT this week in par 14, it even describes our ministry as "therapy", because we are reaching out to help others.  It said "when we show loving personal interest in others, we may actually let go of some of our own negative feelings".

 

Nice one, Neil 

[Vido]

Don't give up...

[Intercore]

14 hours ago, Vido said:

Don't give up...

...don't give in,

Put your trust in Jehovah.

Keep it calm, we can win,

If we stop, think and pray!
 

[Alexa]

I will pray for the special peace brother Neil, it makes me feel uplifted  Thank you 

[Dominic Pereira]

Wonderful brother, Niel.  We all have to really use all our strength to encourage our dear brothers and sisters cross over that finish line. Encouragement and appreciation are most needed in these last days.

 

Let's all pray for that special peace that only Jehovah can give us. We are almost there!

[Friends just call me Ross]

2 hours ago, Dominic Pereira said:

Wonderful brother, Niel.  We all have to really use all our strength to encourage our dear brothers and sisters cross over that finish line. Encouragement and appreciation are most needed in these last days.

 

Let's all pray for that special peace that only Jehovah can give us. We are almost there!

Wonderful post, Brother Dominic!

Welcome to the message board!