Monday, August 29 If you become discouraged in times of trouble, your strength will be meager.​—Prov. 24:10, ftn.

[Áine]

Monday, August 29

If you become discouraged in times of trouble, your strength will be meager.—Prov. 24:10, ftn.

 

We can become discouraged by many things—some internal, some external. The causes may include imperfections, weaknesses, and ill health. They may also include our not receiving a desired assignment in Jehovah’s service or our having to witness in a territory that seems unresponsive. It would be easy for us to develop an unbalanced view of our imperfections and weaknesses. As a result, we might believe that because of our failings, Jehovah would never welcome us into his new world. Such an attitude can be harmful. The Bible reveals that, with the exception of Jesus Christ, all humans “have sinned.” (Rom. 3:23) But the Bible’s Author is not a faultfinder or perfectionist. Rather, he is a loving Father who wants to help us. He is also patient. He sees how we struggle to fight our weaknesses and overcome an unbalanced view of ourselves, and he is ready to help us.—Rom. 7:18, 19. w20.12 22 ¶1-3

[Wayne]

Discouragement is a beast. Hanging around - waiting for its opportunity to pound us down.

 

Our dear Sister Annette Fabian from our 22 Peace Convention. Her example is my aspiration. Sure all of us remember her conversation with the Russian Brother and Sister and how while dealing with her diagnosis of uncurable cancer, she gladly, and joyfully,  encouraged them. Inspiring to say the least.

 

Whenever I wallow in the pain of discouragement. Whenever these things confront us pray to Jehovah for holy Spirit. Then look for someone we can encourage. Someone we can comfort. 

 

2 Cor. 1:4 "...who comforts us in all our trials so that we may be able to comfort others"

 

Sister Annette Fabian. As we, even tearfully, listen and think about her and her condition, we can also see the true joy that Jehovah brings from applying this scripture in 2nd Corinthians.