How do you stay encouraged during these times?

SollaSollew

Well-known member
My husband (much more active than me) really can’t stand zoom. We bumped into a sister last year and he said how he misses the face to face meetings and field service, she really wasn’t nice in her manner and said that’s why zoom was provided and the more involved we are the less cut off we will feel..she just didn’t get it at all. He is definitely less active now, I don’t mention logging into the meetings I just hope he will see things for what they are soon
Sounds like that sister would love Zuckerburg's Metaverse, I'm sure the GB will be embracing this non-reality very soon.
 

Nomex

Well-known member
I'm encouraged knowing that there are people out there who see what's happened and I am not completely alone. I have had a hard time being an "active" witness for a long time primarily because of the what I saw as a very real conflict with the scripture that says, "you'll know my disciples if they have love among themselves." This "Love" inside the congregations has so many conditions I have observed including in my own family that it never felt like real love to me. My relationships within the congregation I have kept guarded for many years because I am not a brainwashed automaton, and I was always very guarded in what I said to people. Even now with friends I still have I've known for decades I have to be very careful. And that is NOT true friendship. The "friendships" inside the congregation IMO, are all at least slightly dysfunctional.

Now even though I have felt this way for many years, I still could not reconcile to myself that I did not have the truth, and I had resigned myself to accepting things for the way they were/are and I would just see how things played out in the future.

So on one hand I am glad the GB has played this hand, because with all of my resistance to the JW brainwashing I still avoided "apostate" info, which includes criticizing a hang nail of the GB, like the plague. Partially because I had seen some of the material in the past and everything I saw was clearly motivated by bad feelings towards the WT, which i could relate to, but no matter what I still knew this was the truthg regardless of what anyone inside the org did, including in my own family. If the GB had not done what they've done I would never have found Robert's site or been part of this group, and the things coming in the future would have been a big, big shock albeit maybe less than most JW's but still a big shock.

The other thing is though, Robert's info about the New World Order the Banking Cartel and such I already knew about, but finding out he saw things the way I had seen things from actual research of the world scene was such a huge relief for me. I was already more or less isolated from the congregation, and I hate Zoom too, even though it made it easier to "attend the meetings" I've never felt comfortable turning a camera on and inviting the whole cong into my home.

So for me just finding this place is an unbelievable relief. Finding people I can engage with who can think for themselves and I can actually be challenged intellectually, and this whole thing has been invigorating. I have found a new zeal for the truth I haven't felt in maybe 30 years. I've wondered what happened to the zeal I had when I was still a young man, now I realize for the last 3 decades it's because I was being fed more and more milk, and I had very little taste for it!

For these reasons and I'm sure there are more, I am convinced I have found the right place at the right time!
 

SusanB

Well-known member
I'm encouraged knowing that there are people out there who see what's happened and I am not completely alone. I have had a hard time being an "active" witness for a long time primarily because of the what I saw as a very real conflict with the scripture that says, "you'll know my disciples if they have love among themselves." This "Love" inside the congregations has so many conditions I have observed including in my own family that it never felt like real love to me. My relationships within the congregation I have kept guarded for many years because I am not a brainwashed automaton, and I was always very guarded in what I said to people. Even now with friends I still have I've known for decades I have to be very careful. And that is NOT true friendship. The "friendships" inside the congregation IMO, are all at least slightly dysfunctional.

Now even though I have felt this way for many years, I still could not reconcile to myself that I did not have the truth, and I had resigned myself to accepting things for the way they were/are and I would just see how things played out in the future.

So on one hand I am glad the GB has played this hand, because with all of my resistance to the JW brainwashing I still avoided "apostate" info, which includes criticizing a hang nail of the GB, like the plague. Partially because I had seen some of the material in the past and everything I saw was clearly motivated by bad feelings towards the WT, which i could relate to, but no matter what I still knew this was the truthg regardless of what anyone inside the org did, including in my own family. If the GB had not done what they've done I would never have found Robert's site or been part of this group, and the things coming in the future would have been a big, big shock albeit maybe less than most JW's but still a big shock.

The other thing is though, Robert's info about the New World Order the Banking Cartel and such I already knew about, but finding out he saw things the way I had seen things from actual research of the world scene was such a huge relief for me. I was already more or less isolated from the congregation, and I hate Zoom too, even though it made it easier to "attend the meetings" I've never felt comfortable turning a camera on and inviting the whole cong into my home.

So for me just finding this place is an unbelievable relief. Finding people I can engage with who can think for themselves and I can actually be challenged intellectually, and this whole thing has been invigorating. I have found a new zeal for the truth I haven't felt in maybe 30 years. I've wondered what happened to the zeal I had when I was still a young man, now I realize for the last 3 decades it's because I was being fed more and more milk, and I had very little taste for it!

For these reasons and I'm sure there are more, I am convinced I have found the right place at the right time!
You are a sister/brother from another mother! I agree. My husband and I often talked about how it was tough to love some of the brothers/sisters but we did the best we could and continually made it a matter of prayer. But now that I see many are willingly being deceitful with the “but it’s your choice” while at the same time “The GB is Jehovah’s channel and we should be obedient”. It was almost as if they are winking at those “in the know.” The secret club of the obedient ones who realize that the GB is divinely directed but all the while saying its a free choice. Anyway, I am so angry about that message that I no longer want to talk to any of them who are knowingly perpetrating an obvious lie.
 

SpicySpice

Well-known member
You don’t know my congregation anything the GB tells them, is not open for discussion, you just do it. The fear of being disliked is more powerful than doing what’s right. There’s sisters I talk to who are also the only non vaccinated in their congregation, with each video update more roll up their sleeve.
That's the same with my congregation, and the one my husband's family is in (they are in a different language congregation) You do what the GB says and if you don't you obviously have no regard for "Jehovah's way of doing things" and "you don't trust Jehovah" The manipulation is so blatant, yet no one really sees it, We suffer in silence.
 

MuleJule

Well-known member
I'm encouraged knowing that there are people out there who see what's happened and I am not completely alone. I have had a hard time being an "active" witness for a long time primarily because of the what I saw as a very real conflict with the scripture that says, "you'll know my disciples if they have love among themselves." This "Love" inside the congregations has so many conditions I have observed including in my own family that it never felt like real love to me. My relationships within the congregation I have kept guarded for many years because I am not a brainwashed automaton, and I was always very guarded in what I said to people. Even now with friends I still have I've known for decades I have to be very careful. And that is NOT true friendship. The "friendships" inside the congregation IMO, are all at least slightly dysfunctional.

Now even though I have felt this way for many years, I still could not reconcile to myself that I did not have the truth, and I had resigned myself to accepting things for the way they were/are and I would just see how things played out in the future.

So on one hand I am glad the GB has played this hand, because with all of my resistance to the JW brainwashing I still avoided "apostate" info, which includes criticizing a hang nail of the GB, like the plague. Partially because I had seen some of the material in the past and everything I saw was clearly motivated by bad feelings towards the WT, which i could relate to, but no matter what I still knew this was the truthg regardless of what anyone inside the org did, including in my own family. If the GB had not done what they've done I would never have found Robert's site or been part of this group, and the things coming in the future would have been a big, big shock albeit maybe less than most JW's but still a big shock.

The other thing is though, Robert's info about the New World Order the Banking Cartel and such I already knew about, but finding out he saw things the way I had seen things from actual research of the world scene was such a huge relief for me. I was already more or less isolated from the congregation, and I hate Zoom too, even though it made it easier to "attend the meetings" I've never felt comfortable turning a camera on and inviting the whole cong into my home.

So for me just finding this place is an unbelievable relief. Finding people I can engage with who can think for themselves and I can actually be challenged intellectually, and this whole thing has been invigorating. I have found a new zeal for the truth I haven't felt in maybe 30 years. I've wondered what happened to the zeal I had when I was still a young man, now I realize for the last 3 decades it's because I was being fed more and more milk, and I had very little taste for it!

For these reasons and I'm sure there are more, I am convinced I have found the right place at the right time!
Every word that you typed here ^ is exactly 100% how i feel and have been feeling. I could have written it word for word! Wow. And I have felt so alone in my thinking for so long now. It is truly such a blessing to connect with all of you like-minded spiritual friends who intuitively see what is happening and can't go along with it. I too am so grateful that the GB updates pushed me to search and come across Robert's forum, as well as his book, articles & videos. For the first time in years I feel I have been receiving truly satisfying spiritual food that is prompting me to study and meditate deeply, a renewed zeal for the truth. Thank you all for being here.
 

Ana

Well-known member
En casa hablamos mucho del paraíso y todo lo que vamos a hacer allí. Jehová, Jesús y los ángeles están muy presentes en nuestras vidas, educamos a mis hijas mira al cielo, no al suelo. La pequeña está deseando conocer a Abraham, se emociona mucho con el, no se porque. Oramos mucho, nunca es suficiente. Pero sobre todo seguimos predicando cara a cara, es fantástico tener estudios bíblicos con el libro Jehová mismo ha llegado a ser Rey. Cuando predicaba hace más de 20 años con los Testigos de Jehová nunca sentí lo que siento ahora, la gente también escucha mucho mejor. Vivimos en la playa, eso ayuda mucho la verdad, pero en realidad vivir lejos de las ciudades siempre nos ha dado una paz diferente, la naturaleza cura mucho. La música siempre presente!!! Somos bailarines domésticos, ja!!! Y como nos gusta!! Leemos en voz alta la Biblia, es muy reconfortante y la pequeña ha empezado a leer, está entusiasmada!!! Y nos ponemos la armadura de Jehová!!! Que no nos falte nunca!!! Saludos a todos!!
 
R

RR144

Guest
I haven't seen the inside of a Kingdom Hall in over 30 years. I did have a Hall on my mail route and have been inside for deliveries.

I meet with a small group of Bible Students here in Indiana. It's similar to the old book studies we had, meeting in private homes. Since the so-called "pandemic" we have been meeting on Zoom every Wednesday night and Sunday morning. But there are meetings held almost every day by various ones, and conventions held several times a weekend somewhere. We have been using Zoom before the pandemic for shut-ins and those who have no fellowship, and all the conventions were held on Zoom.

So, like many of you I haven't personally seen ANY of my brethren in 2 years. Although some of the classes do meet together, my class refuses at the moment, due to many older ones in the class.

My wife and I do study together. She often has a lot of questions, so we sit and have discussions, read our Bibles together. We're both a bit introverted, so being without physical fellowship isn't a problem for us. We don't get lonely. We have everything we need right here at home.

RR
 

יהוה_saves

Well-known member
So, like many of you I haven't personally seen ANY of my brethren in 2 years.
i recall in early 2020 when the gov body transitioned us to Zoom and enforced the CDC/WHO/U.N. Covid protocol on us, after a few weeks i invited some sisters over to play cards, to have coffee, go for a walk- whatever- assuring them i’m not sick. They all declined, because the governing body says . . . ALL OF THEM declined. It made feel so alone, so isolated, out of the loop and x-group think. I voiced my concerns to the elders and the feedback was typical- the problem was me. always me.
 

mreader

Well-known member
I remember at the beginning of the pandemic I tried doing phone witnessing a couple of times, but I haven't done it in over a year and just consider talking to my acquaintances as my ministry. Same thing with being on camera and giving answers on the zoom meetings. I used to go out in service a couple times a month before the pandemic. This zoom crap really sucks the life out of me, it's just not the same. Not only that, but obviously the stance the GB has taken has been distasteful, to say the least. On top of it all, I lost my job just after the beginning of the pandemic (a "professional job") from which I have not been able to land another one (it doesn't look good being fired from this kind of job, and it is a very nepotistic field), and it looks like I will have to change careers. Most things that could have gone wrong have gone wrong. What are some things you do to stay encouraged? Thanks.

I treat "these times" as every other days Before. The so called Pandemic, yes effects me but it's not really in my mind.
I make myself busy. Spend times on things I like to do. Ignore news........just wait for the final outcome of this Pandemic.
I don't want to waist my energy on things I can't change. I don't dwell in 'what will be when this/that happen'...
I leave that TOTTALY in JEHOVAH's hands. I totally Count on HIM. That's my resolution.
Beside that I am truly miserable as a human being under the Beast Rule. For me only JEHOVAH is only the hope.
 
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