I don't know where to begin and I'm really upset and crying about the whole thing. I don't know what to do I feel so hurt. Religion has been very hard for me. I was raised with a evangelistic father and an atheist mother. What ever I learned from one was torn down by the other. Recently I met some Jehovah's Witnesses. As I did not accept the trinity to learn that there was a religion that agreed with my thought of Christ as the son of God and not God made me happy. My husband and I began a study and have been studying now (every tuesday) for about a year and a Half. We made 2 memorials and about a handful of meetings. It seemed so hard at first and so much to learn. We have given up some of our ways like Christmass and Easter and other holidays with our families and friends. However to completely break away from all of our good friends that we have had for over 40 to 50 years is very hard for us not to mention family also. It is also hard for us to attend meetings as we have always hated to go to church because of all the hipocrites. It was refreshing to see the witnesses treating each other as brothers and with respect. Now here is what has me upset the couple we studied with wrote us a letter that says the following; Dear Bill and Judy
You're probably wondering why I'm writing to you but I know that right now you're busy with company so a phone call or visit might be a little awkward.
We wanted to let you know how much we've enjoyed studying with you and getting to know you better and we hope you will always think kindly of us. Because of our Christian love for you we can no longer continue to study with you at this time. Our district Convention really emphasized the seriousness of the times we are living in right now and it's imperative that you take your stand on Jehovah's side and for true worship. You can do this by being at the meetings at the Kingdom Hall Sunday at 9:30 and and thursday at 7:30 pm. Since you are both so busy, the meeting would be a better use of your time. Please always think of us as someone you can call at anytime with questions and we will see you from time to time with the latest Bible journals too. Warm Christian Love, Jim and Fran.
I feel abandoned and hurt. I thought we were friends and I was begining to learn a lot. Now I don't know what to believe. I have friends that are catholic, baptist, presbyterian, methodist, born again, etc. None of them have turned their back on us just because we were not of their religion. I feel like they left us because we were not learning or doing enough to become a witness. I feel like I have given up so much and tried but it is hard to break bad beliefs and very good friendships especially when you feel like you don't know enough and have so many doubts. Why did they do this? Is it because we are too much of the world yet and do not have a strong enough faith. Someone please help me to understand this. I also have panic and anxiety mixed in with ocassional depression so this has been a hard pill for me to swallow. What should I do.
You're probably wondering why I'm writing to you but I know that right now you're busy with company so a phone call or visit might be a little awkward.
We wanted to let you know how much we've enjoyed studying with you and getting to know you better and we hope you will always think kindly of us. Because of our Christian love for you we can no longer continue to study with you at this time. Our district Convention really emphasized the seriousness of the times we are living in right now and it's imperative that you take your stand on Jehovah's side and for true worship. You can do this by being at the meetings at the Kingdom Hall Sunday at 9:30 and and thursday at 7:30 pm. Since you are both so busy, the meeting would be a better use of your time. Please always think of us as someone you can call at anytime with questions and we will see you from time to time with the latest Bible journals too. Warm Christian Love, Jim and Fran.
I feel abandoned and hurt. I thought we were friends and I was begining to learn a lot. Now I don't know what to believe. I have friends that are catholic, baptist, presbyterian, methodist, born again, etc. None of them have turned their back on us just because we were not of their religion. I feel like they left us because we were not learning or doing enough to become a witness. I feel like I have given up so much and tried but it is hard to break bad beliefs and very good friendships especially when you feel like you don't know enough and have so many doubts. Why did they do this? Is it because we are too much of the world yet and do not have a strong enough faith. Someone please help me to understand this. I also have panic and anxiety mixed in with ocassional depression so this has been a hard pill for me to swallow. What should I do.
God Bless You in What ever you do.
Feelings of abandonment and rejection are deep and wide in my life, I can empathize with you emotional response to their letter.
We will get back to them, but first, how are you now? Are you well, safe, secure? Have you processed the abandonment, or do you still seek answers? We will help you find the answers you are seeking, ok?
I have been rejected by the Witnesses, was reinstated, and have had a struggle to maintain a life of service to Jehovah. It is a struggle, however, Satan and imperfection makes sure of that goal is just out of reach. However, I understand that association with the Witnesses is imperative, meetings, shunning the world, and taking a stand for dedicating our lives to Him.
The friends that stopped by that day 18 months ago and more, were there to encourage you to see the Love of Jehovah for what it needs to be in our lives, a way of life, like ancient Israel, and their separation from every pagan practicing nation around them. They are warm and compassionate, caring and wise, and they have a work to do, to "Go therefore and make disciples." When there work was at a point of decision, they left momentarily, as does a parent who wants their child to walk, to see if you were ready, much as Jehovah has done for His people these past two thousand years and more.
The other choice, your coming to the next meeting, and affirming the life of dedication to Jehovah, would have been met with tearful rejoicing, more studying, and baptism in dedication to Jehovah and His Way of Life.
Anxiety, panic attacks and depression are the work of a Mastermind who knows how to destroy us early in life, so we cannot serve Jehovah. It is time, Judy and Bill, to take up the "mind of Job" and do not allow us in any form to curse God.
I too suffer from these disorders, and am making my stand for Jehovah, against the face of Satan. In time, invite your friends to the rewards you know to be in the worship of Jehovah, the clarity, the peace...
Are these doubts about the faith and religious adherence to Jehovah? Or are they about whether we can remain faithful, as did Abraham in the city of UR, with all its pleasantness and riches, only to abandon them for Jehovah and the Promised Land, a wilderness that he had to make his new home in a tent!
Are you still unwilling to celebrate Holidays? Have you gone back to the Holidays? It does not matter, for Jehovah has given you time, listen to Him now, Judy and Bill, search out and really see the need to leave the life Satan has designed to blind us of the fullness of Jehovah's Sovereignty.
Fill yourself with hope, Stitch, you are closer now than you have ever been to a life fully immersed in Jehovah, and with the extra burden of a lost world, a helper, Jesus, who steps under our burden, and supports us when we are full of doubt and worry.
Let us both aspire to those words and deeds, let us help each other,
Thank you for trying, dear Stitch,
Sam