Comments | daggerinmysmile: service

daggerinmysmile

service

Apr 26, 2005 17:32

I went out in service all day today. It was good. Sometimes I feel like such a hypocrite because I'm a "pioneer" and I know everyone kind of looks up to me for that. If they only knew all the times I make excuses and don't do the right thing, and all the times I chicken out and say nothing. I'm a pioneer but sometimes I don't have the pioneer ( Read more... )

Comments 4

lemoncookie April 26 2005, 23:23:13 UTC

Natalie, are you aware that many pioneers feel exactly the same way? I came so close to signing off of the pioneer list myself because I felt like I wasn't that great of am example/ unworthy of being a pioneer. But what is pioneering? It is merely a promise between you and Jehovah that you will put in a minimum 50 / 70 hours a month because you have the circumstances. It should not involve anyone else. If you love Jehovah, than this is you publicly declaring that you will use your circumstances in the best possible way - much in the same way baptism is a public declaration of you using your life in the best possible way ( ... )

lemoncookie April 26 2005, 23:23:28 UTC

Understandably, you may along with other servants of Jehovah at times, feel discouraged or anxious. What a comfort to know that the prophet Elijah and the Apostle Paul experienced the same emotions! And how reassuring that just as Jehovah understood their feelings, He also understands your emotional struggle. On the one hand, you love God and your fellowman and desire to do Jehovah's work of proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom. On the other hand, you may be dissapointed that at times you shrink back when an opportunity to praise Jehovah presents itself. However, just as Jehovah equipped Elijah and Paul to carry on, He also equips you today. Lean on Jehovah for strength in times of anxiety, and pray about the matter. There have been times in the past (both distant and recent) that I have spotted a shining chance at witnessing, but I ignored it - one time inadvertently giving a bad witness! I grieved over it and prayed to Jehovah, and have vowed to praise Jehovah whenever I get the chance. Now that I have noticed the problem, I do ( ... )

tmuses April 27 2005, 01:45:06 UTC

It's hard to cultivate that spirit. Thee best way I find to do it is to take myself away from all worldly situations that I can. Most t.v. shows, some concerts, the people I talk to at work, movies. Anything that might have a negative effect on my relationship with Jehovah. Even if it seems minor. Reading the Bible daily, not in the typical way, but really reading it. Read the books Paul penned. They are incredibly upbuilding. And of course praying for holy spirit ( ... )

Ah, the pioneer guilt fortytwo April 27 2005, 13:34:49 UTC

I have to echo what these two have said that probably all pioneers have felt the same way at some time. I pioneered 5 years and probably felt that way 4 years and 9 months. It's a struggle. Since it's been so nicely addressed already, I'll just tell you a couple "strictly logical" type of things ( ... )