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Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the modern-language New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures.

1. Why do we need endurance, and what help do we have? (1 Peter 5:10)

IN THESE difficult last days, Jehovah’s people need endurance. Some are suffering from a chronic illness. Others are coping with the loss of a loved one. Still others are facing opposition, whether from family members or from government officials. (Matt. 10:18, 36, 37) Be assured that whatever difficulty you are dealing with, Jehovah can help you to endure.​—Read 1 Peter 5:10.

2. Where does our ability to endure as Christians come from?

² Endurance is the ability to persevere and to maintain hope in the face of obstacles, persecutions, trials, or temptations. The ability to endure as Christians does not come from our own strength; rather, it comes from Jehovah, the one who can give us “power beyond what is normal.” (2 Cor. 4:7) In this article, we will discuss four provisions that Jehovah has made available to help us endure. We will also see how we can take advantage of each provision.

PRAYER

3. Why can we say that prayer is a miracle of communication?

³ Jehovah has made a miraculous provision that can help us to endure. He has made it possible for us to communicate with him despite our sinful condition. (Heb. 4:16) Think of it: We can pray to Jehovah at any time and about any matter. He can hear us in any language and from any location, even if we are isolated or imprisoned. (Jonah 2:1, 2; Acts 16:25, 26) If we become so anxious that we cannot find the words to express our thoughts, Jehovah is still able to understand what we want to say. (Rom. 8:26, 27) Truly, prayer is a miracle of communication!

4. Why can we say that our prayers for endurance are in harmony with Jehovah’s will?

⁴ In his Word, Jehovah assures us that “no matter what we ask according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14) Can we ask Jehovah for help to endure? Yes! Doing so is in harmony with his will. Why can we say that? When we endure trials, we provide Jehovah with a reply to his taunter, Satan the Devil. (Prov. 27:11) Besides that, the Bible says that Jehovah is eager “to show his strength in behalf of those whose heart is complete toward him.” (2 Chron. 16:9) So we can be sure that Jehovah has both the power and the desire to help us endure.​—Isa. 30:18; 41:10; Luke 11:13.

5. How can prayer give us peace of mind? (Isaiah 26:3)

⁵ The Bible says that when we pray earnestly about our concerns, “the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard [our] hearts and [our] mental powers.” (Phil. 4:7) Consider what that means. People who do not serve Jehovah face hardships, and they may try various methods to achieve peace of mind. For example, some use a form of meditation to empty the mind of all thoughts, including anxious ones. Emptying the mind is spiritually dangerous. (Compare Matthew 12:43-45.) Besides, the peace that Jehovah provides when we pray is far superior to any form of peace someone might achieve through such meditation. When we pray to Jehovah, we demonstrate that we fully lean on him and he gives us “continuous peace.” (Read Isaiah 26:3.) One way Jehovah does that is by helping us call to mind the reassuring truths we have learned from his Word. Those truths put our mind and heart at rest because we know that Jehovah cares for us and wants us to succeed.​—Ps. 62:1, 2.

6. How can you make full use of the provision of prayer? (See also picture.)

⁶ What you can do. As you endure a test of faith, “throw your burden on Jehovah” and pray for his peace. (Ps. 55:22) Pray also for the wisdom you need so that you can deal with your challenge. (Prov. 2:10, 11) Along with your supplications for endurance, do not forget to offer prayers of thanksgiving. (Phil. 4:6) Look for indications that Jehovah is sustaining you during your trial, and thank him for his support. Do not let your trial blind you to the blessings you have already received.​—Ps. 16:5, 6.

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GOD’S WORD

7. How can studying the Bible help us endure?

⁷ Jehovah has given us his Word to help us endure. The Bible contains many passages that assure us of Jehovah’s support. Consider just one example. Matthew 6:8 says: “Your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.” Jesus spoke those words, and he knows Jehovah far better than anyone else does. Therefore, we have no reason to doubt Jehovah’s interest in our needs as we face hardships. The Bible contains many similar thoughts that can strengthen our determination to endure.​—Ps. 94:19.

8. (a) Give an example of a Bible principle that can help us endure. (b) What can help us to call to mind Bible principles when we need them?

⁸ Bible principles can help us endure. After all, they contain practical wisdom that can assist us in making sound decisions. (Prov. 2:6, 7) For example, the Bible encourages us to take one day at a time rather than become unduly worried about what tomorrow may or may not bring. (Matt. 6:34) If we have a habit of reading the Scriptures and meditating on them, we are more likely to recall the principles we need when we need them.

9. How do Bible accounts strengthen our confidence in Jehovah’s help?

⁹ The Bible also contains true-life accounts of ordinary people who trusted in Jehovah and received his support. (Heb. 11:32-34; Jas. 5:17) When we reflect on such accounts, we build our confidence that Jehovah is “our refuge and strength, a help that is readily found in times of distress.” (Ps. 46:1) As we take note of the faithful course of Jehovah’s servants in the past, we are moved to imitate their faith and their endurance.​—Jas. 5:10, 11.

10. How can you make full use of the provision of God’s Word?

¹⁰ What you can do. Read the Bible daily, and keep a list of verses that you find particularly helpful. Many have also found the daily text to be an effective way to start the day with an encouraging thought from the Bible. A sister named Mariea found that to be true when both her parents were diagnosed with cancer. What helped her endure as she cared for them during their final months? “Each morning I would read the scripture text from Examining the Scriptures Daily and meditate on it,” she says. “This routine allowed me to fill my mind with a Scriptural thought that helped me focus on something bigger than me and the distressing situation I was dealing with.”​—Ps. 61:2.

FELLOW BELIEVERS

11. Why is it encouraging to know that we are not alone as we endure trials?

¹¹ Jehovah provides us with a Christian brotherhood to help us endure. Just knowing that “the same kind of sufferings are being experienced by the entire association of [our] brothers” assures us that we are not alone. (1 Pet. 5:9) Indeed, we can be certain that whatever situation we face, others have faced something similar, and they have endured. That means we too can endure!​—Acts 14:22.

12. How can fellow believers help us, and what can we do for them? (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4)

¹² As we endure, fellow believers can encourage us. The apostle Paul found that to be true. He often expressed appreciation for those who helped him while he was under house arrest, referring to them by name. They provided Paul with comfort, encouragement, and practical assistance. (Phil. 2:25, 29, 30; Col. 4:10, 11) Today we may experience something similar. When we need help to endure, our brothers and sisters are there for us; and when they need support, we are there for them.​—Read 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.

13. What helped a sister named Maya to endure?

¹³ The brotherhood was of great encouragement to a sister in Russia named Maya. Her home was searched in 2020, and she was later put on trial for sharing her faith with others. “During a time when I was emotionally exhausted, the brothers and sisters called and wrote, assuring me of their love,” Maya says. “I always knew what a big, loving family I had. But since 2020, I am especially aware of this.”

14. How can we benefit from the support of fellow believers as we endure? (See also picture.)

¹⁴ What you can do. As you endure, stay close to your Christian brothers and sisters. Do not hesitate to ask the elders for help. They can be “a shelter from the wind, a refuge from the rainstorm.” (Isa. 32:2, ftn.) Remember, too, that your fellow Christians are also enduring hardships. Doing a kind deed for someone in need will help you to remain balanced and positive as you endure your own trial.​—Acts 20:35.

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OUR HOPE

15. What has hope done for faithful ones, including Jesus? (Hebrews 12:2)

¹⁵ Jehovah has given us a firm hope to help us endure. (Rom. 15:13) Recall how hope helped Jesus to endure the most difficult day of his earthly life. (Read Hebrews 12:2.) Jesus knew that his faithfulness would contribute to the vindication of Jehovah’s name. Jesus also looked forward to rejoining his Father and in time serving with his brothers in the heavenly Kingdom. Similarly, our hope of living forever in God’s new world helps us to endure any hardship that Satan’s world inflicts on us.

16. How did hope help one sister endure, and what do you learn from her comment?

¹⁶ Consider how the Kingdom hope helped a sister in Russia named Alla, whose husband was arrested and placed in pretrial detention. When this happened, Alla said: “Praying about our future hope and meditating on it keeps me from getting too discouraged. I understand that this is not the end. Jehovah will be victorious, and so will we.”

17. How can we show our appreciation for our Bible-based hope? (See also picture.)

¹⁷ What you can do. Take time to think about the wonderful future that Jehovah has in store. See yourself in God’s new world and picture the blessings we will have. And any trial we may be facing now will seem “momentary and light.” (2 Cor. 4:17) Also, do what you can to share your faith with others. Imagine what it must be like for them to deal with the hardships of Satan’s world without knowing God’s purpose for the future. You may stir their interest in our Kingdom hope even with a brief discussion.

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18. Why can we trust in Jehovah’s promises?

¹⁸ After successfully enduring many trials, Job told Jehovah: “Now I know that you are able to do all things and that nothing you have in mind to do is impossible for you.” (Job 42:2) As Job learned, nothing can interfere with the fulfillment of Jehovah’s purpose. That fact can strengthen us as we endure. To illustrate, imagine a sick woman who is discouraged because numerous doctors have been unable to cure her. But when an experienced and trusted doctor identifies the problem and explains how he will treat her illness, she feels relief, even though it will take some time for her to be healed. She can now endure, knowing that she has a bright hope​—the hope that she will get better. In a similar way, our confidence in our hope of the Paradise to come helps us to endure.

19. What do we need in order to endure?

¹⁹ As we have seen, Jehovah helps us to endure our trials by means of prayer, his Word, our fellow believers, and our hope. If we make full use of these provisions, Jehovah will carry us through every difficulty we may face until the day when the hardships of Satan’s world are gone.​—Phil. 4:13.

1. Why did you dedicate yourself to Jehovah? (See also picture.)

CAN you recall when you dedicated yourself to Jehovah? You made that decision because you came to know and love him. You promised him that you would put his will first in your life and that you would continue to love him with your whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. (Mark 12:30) Since that time, your love for him has grown stronger and stronger. How, then, would you answer if someone asked, “Are you sure that you love Jehovah?” Without hesitation, you would say, “I love him more than anyone or anything else!”

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2-3. What does Jehovah want us to accept, and what will we discuss in this article? (Jeremiah 31:3)

² How, though, would you answer if someone asked, “Are you sure that Jehovah loves you?” Would you hesitate to answer, perhaps thinking that you are unworthy of Jehovah’s love? One sister who had a difficult upbringing said: “I know I love Jehovah. I have no doubt about that. What I do doubt all too often is if Jehovah loves me.” But how does Jehovah really feel about you?

³ Jehovah wants you to be convinced that he loves you. (Read Jeremiah 31:3.) The truth is that Jehovah drew you to himself. And when you dedicated yourself to him and got baptized, you received something truly precious​—his loyal love. That love is a deep, lasting attachment. It moves him to view his faithful worshippers​—including you—​as his “treasured possession.” (Mal. 3:17, ftn.) Jehovah wants you to be as sure of his love for you as the apostle Paul was of Jehovah’s love for him. Paul could confidently write: “I am convinced that neither death nor life nor angels nor governments nor things now here nor things to come nor powers nor height nor depth nor any other creation will be able to separate us from God’s love.” (Rom. 8:38, 39) In this article, we will discuss why we need to strengthen our conviction that Jehovah loves us and what can help us to do so.

WHY WE NEED TO ACCEPT JEHOVAH’S LOVE

4. How can we fight against one of Satan’s craftiest acts?

⁴ By accepting Jehovah’s love, we can fight against one of Satan’s “crafty acts.” (Eph. 6:11) Satan will do anything he can to keep us from serving Jehovah. One of Satan’s craftiest acts is to promote the lie that Jehovah does not love us. Never forget that Satan is an opportunist. He often attacks when we are vulnerable​—perhaps weighed down emotionally by past experiences, by present challenges, or by uncertainties about the future. (Prov. 24:10) Satan is like a lion seeking to take advantage of his defenseless prey. So he tries to take advantage of our low emotional state to get us to give up. But if we keep strengthening our conviction that Jehovah loves us, we will be better equipped to take our “stand against” Satan and his cunning tricks and tactics.​—1 Pet. 5:8, 9; Jas. 4:7.

5. Why do we need to feel loved and cherished by Jehovah?

⁵ By accepting Jehovah’s love, we can draw closer to him. Consider why we can say that. Jehovah created us with the need to love and to be loved. Our natural response to love is love. So the more we feel loved and cherished by Jehovah, the more we will love him in return. (1 John 4:19) And as we grow in our love for him, he will grow in his love for us. The Bible plainly tells us: “Draw close to God, and he will draw close to you.” (Jas. 4:8) How, though, can we strengthen our conviction that Jehovah loves us?

WHAT CAN HELP US TO ACCEPT JEHOVAH’S LOVE?

6. To accept Jehovah’s love, what can we pray for?

⁶ Be specific and persistent in your prayers. (Luke 18:1; Rom. 12:12) Ask Jehovah​—many times each day if necessary—​to help you to see yourself as he does. Granted, a self-condemning heart may not be easily convinced. But remember that Jehovah is greater than your heart. (1 John 3:19, 20) He knows you better than you know yourself; he sees what you may be unable to see. (1 Sam. 16:7; 2 Chron. 6:30) So do not hesitate to “pour out” your feelings to him, asking for his help to accept his love. (Ps. 62:8) Then work in harmony with your prayers by applying the following suggestions.

7-8. How do the Psalms assure us of Jehovah’s love for us?

⁷ Take Jehovah at his word. He inspired Bible writers to describe him as he truly is. Consider the tender way in which the psalmist David described Jehovah. “Jehovah is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those who are discouraged.” (Ps. 34:18, ftn.) When you are downhearted, you may feel that you are all alone. But Jehovah promises that at such times, he is close to you because he sees that you need him more than ever. In another psalm, David wrote: “Do collect my tears in your skin bottle.” (Ps. 56:8) Jehovah sees when you struggle. He cares deeply about you and what you are going through. He, in a sense, collects your tears and treasures them, as though they were the precious water in a traveler’s skin bottle. At Psalm 139:3, we read: “You [Jehovah] are familiar with all my ways.” Jehovah sees all your ways, but he focuses on the good you do. (Heb. 6:10) Why? Because he cherishes every effort you make to please him.a

⁸ By means of such comforting scriptures in his inspired Word, Jehovah is, in effect, saying: “I want you to know how much I love you and care about you.” But as we learned earlier, Satan promotes the lie that Jehovah does not love you. So if at times you have doubts about Jehovah’s love for you, pause and ask yourself, ‘Whom will I believe​—“the father of the lie” or “the God of truth”?’​—John 8:44; Ps. 31:5.

9. What assurance does Jehovah give to those who love him? (Exodus 20:5, 6)

⁹ Reflect on how Jehovah responds to love. Consider what Jehovah said to Moses and to the Israelites. (Read Exodus 20:5, 6.) Jehovah promises that he will continue to show loyal love to those who love him. Those words assure us that our loyal God would never receive love from his worshippers and not love them in return. (Neh. 1:5) So if at times you need reassurance that Jehovah loves you, stop and ask yourself, ‘Do I love Jehovah?’ Then think about this: If you love him and are trying your best to please him, you have his assurance that he loves you dearly. (Dan. 9:4; 1 Cor. 8:3) In other words, if you do not doubt your love for Jehovah, why doubt his love for you? His love and loyalty are beyond all doubt.

10-11. How does Jehovah want you to view the ransom? (Galatians 2:20)

¹⁰ Meditate on the ransom. The ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ is Jehovah’s greatest gift to humankind. (John 3:16) But is it a gift to you personally? Yes! Consider the experience of the apostle Paul. Recall that he had committed some serious sins before becoming a Christian and needed to continue battling his own imperfections. (Rom. 7:24, 25; 1 Tim. 1:12-14) Yet, he came to view the ransom as a personal gift from Jehovah. (Read Galatians 2:20.) Remember that Jehovah inspired Paul to record those words. And everything in the Bible is there for our instruction. (Rom. 15:4) Paul’s words reflect how Jehovah wants you to view the ransom​—that is, as a personal gift from Him to you. When you come to view the ransom this way, you strengthen your conviction that Jehovah loves you as an individual.

¹¹ We thank Jehovah for sending Jesus to the earth to die for us. But another reason why Jesus came to earth was to tell others the truth about God. (John 18:37) That truth includes the way that Jehovah feels about his children.

HOW JESUS HELPS US TO ACCEPT JEHOVAH’S LOVE

12. Why can we trust the way Jesus described Jehovah?

¹² When on earth, Jesus willingly revealed what Jehovah is like. (Luke 10:22) We have every reason to trust the way Jesus described Jehovah. After all, Jesus had lived alongside Jehovah in heaven for eons before coming to earth. (Col. 1:15) From firsthand experience and observation, Jesus knew how much Jehovah loves His faithful sons and daughters. How does Jesus help others to accept God’s love?

13. How does Jesus want us to see Jehovah?

¹³ Jesus wants us to see Jehovah as he does. In the Gospels, Jesus referred to Jehovah as “Father” over 160 times. And when speaking to his followers, he used such expressions as “your Father” or “your heavenly Father.” (Matt. 5:16; 6:26) The study note on Matthew 5:16 says: “Earlier servants of God used many lofty titles to describe and address Jehovah, including the ‘Almighty,’ ‘the Most High,’ and the ‘Grand Creator,’ but Jesus’ frequent use of the simple, common term ‘Father’ highlights God’s intimacy with his worshippers.” Clearly, Jesus wants us to see Jehovah as he does​—as our loving Father, whose children are dear to Him. Let us examine two examples of Jesus’ use of the term “Father.”

14. How did Jesus show that each of us has value in our heavenly Father’s eyes? (Matthew 10:29-31) (See also picture.)

¹⁴ First, consider Jesus’ words recorded at Matthew 10:29-31. (Read.) Sparrows are tiny birds that will never love or worship Jehovah. Yet, our Father values a single sparrow enough to know when it falls to the ground. How much more must he value and care for each faithful worshipper who serves him out of love! Regarding the words “even the hairs of your head are all numbered,” the study note on verse 30 says: “Jehovah’s intimate knowledge of such minute details guarantees that he is keenly interested in each follower of Christ.” Surely, Jesus wants us to accept that each of us is precious in our heavenly Father’s eyes.

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15. What do Jesus’ words found at John 6:44 tell you about your heavenly Father?

¹⁵ Note a second example of Jesus’ use of the term “Father.” (Read John 6:44.) Your heavenly Father personally drew​—or, gently attracted—​you to the truth. Why did he draw you? Because he saw in you a heart that was rightly disposed. (Acts 13:48) The study note on John 6:44 says that Jesus may have been alluding to Jeremiah’s words, as found in our theme text: “I have drawn you to me with loyal love [or, have continued to show loyal love to you].” (Jer. 31:3; ftn.; compare Hosea 11:4.) Think of what that means. Our loving heavenly Father continues to see the good in you that you may not see in yourself.

16. (a) What is Jesus, in effect, telling us, and why should we believe him? (b) How can you strengthen your conviction that Jehovah is the Father you need? (See the box “The Father We All Need.”)

¹⁶ By describing Jehovah as our Father, Jesus is, in a sense, telling us: “Jehovah is not just my Father; he is your Father too. And I assure you that he loves you and deeply cares about you as an individual.” So if at times you feel unsure about Jehovah’s love for you, stop and ask yourself, ‘Shouldn’t I trust the words of the Son who knows our Father best and who always speaks the truth?’​—1 Pet. 2:22.

KEEP STRENGTHENING YOUR CONVICTION

17. Why must we keep strengthening our conviction that Jehovah loves us?

¹⁷ We need to keep strengthening our conviction that Jehovah loves us. As we learned earlier, our crafty enemy, Satan, will stop at nothing to make us give up on serving Jehovah. In an effort to weaken our resolve, Satan will keep trying to undermine our confidence in God’s love for us. We must not let Satan win!​—Job 27:5.

18. How can you strengthen your confidence in Jehovah’s love?

¹⁸ To strengthen your confidence in Jehovah’s love, keep praying for his help to see yourself as he does. Ponder how inspired Bible writers described his tender love. Reflect on the way that he responds to love; he would never receive it and then fail to show it in return. Meditate on why you can view the ransom as a personal gift to you. And trust Jesus’ assurance that Jehovah is your heavenly Father. Then if anyone should ask: “Are you sure that Jehovah loves you?” you will confidently respond: “Yes, he does! And I do my best every day to show my love for him!”

1-2. What relief can repentant sinners experience? (See also picture.)

KING David knew what it is like to feel guilty for past sins. (Ps. 40:12; 51:3; superscription) He made some serious mistakes in his life. Yet, he showed sincere repentance, and Jehovah forgave him. (2 Sam. 12:13) As a result, David also understood the relief that comes from receiving Jehovah’s forgiveness.​—Ps. 32:1.

² Like David, we can experience the relief that comes from receiving Jehovah’s mercy. What a comfort it is to know that Jehovah is willing to forgive our sins​—even serious ones—​if we sincerely repent, confess our sins, and do our best not to repeat our mistakes! (Prov. 28:13; Acts 26:20; 1 John 1:9) And how reassuring to know that he forgives so completely that it is as if the sin had never even happened!​—Ezek. 33:16.

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3-4. How did one sister feel after she got baptized, and what will we discuss in this article?

³ At times, though, some may find it hard to accept Jehovah’s forgiveness. Consider the experience of Jennifer, who was raised in the truth. As a teenager, she got involved in wrong conduct and lived a double life. Years later, she returned to Jehovah and eventually qualified for baptism. She says: “My former life was full of materialism, sexual immorality, heavy drinking, and extreme anger. In my mind, I knew that after I begged for forgiveness and repented, Christ’s sacrifice made me clean. But I could not convince my heart that I was forgiven.”

⁴ Do you at times find it hard to convince your heart that Jehovah has forgiven you for past mistakes? Jehovah wants us to feel as secure in his mercy as did David. In this article, we will discuss why we need to accept Jehovah’s forgiveness and what can help us to do so.

WHY DO WE NEED TO ACCEPT JEHOVAH’S FORGIVENESS?

5. What does Satan want us to believe? Give an example.

⁵ By accepting Jehovah’s forgiveness, we can avoid falling into one of Satan’s traps. Remember that Satan will do anything he can to stop us from serving Jehovah. To achieve his goal, Satan may try to get us to believe that our sins are unforgivable. Consider the experience of the man in Corinth who was removed from the congregation for sexual immorality. (1 Cor. 5:1, 5, 13) When he later repented, Satan wanted those in the congregation to be unforgiving​—so harsh that they would not welcome the man back. At the same time, Satan wanted the repentant man to feel unforgivable​—so “overwhelmed by excessive sadness” that he would stop serving Jehovah. Satan has not changed his goal or his tactics. But “we are not ignorant of his designs.”​—2 Cor. 2:5-11.

6. How can we find relief from the burden of guilt?

⁶ By accepting Jehovah’s forgiveness, we can find relief from the burden of guilt. When we sin, we naturally feel guilty. (Ps. 51:17) That is a good thing. Our conscience can move us to take positive steps to correct our course. (2 Cor. 7:10, 11) However, if we hold on to guilt long after we have repented of a sin, we might be tempted to give up. When we accept Jehovah’s forgiveness, we can put the guilt where it belongs​—behind us. Then we can serve Jehovah as he wants us to serve him​—with a clean conscience and deep joy. (Col. 1:10, 11; 2 Tim. 1:3) How, though, can we convince our heart to accept God’s forgiveness?

WHAT CAN HELP US TO ACCEPT JEHOVAH’S FORGIVENESS?

7-8. How did Jehovah describe himself to Moses, and what confidence does this give us? (Exodus 34:6, 7)

⁷ Reflect on how Jehovah has described himself. Note, for example, what Jehovah said to Moses on Mount Sinai.a (Read Exodus 34:6, 7.) Of all the things that Jehovah could have said about his qualities and ways, he saw fit to represent himself as being “a God merciful and compassionate.” Would such a God withhold forgiveness from a worshipper who has truly repented of his sin? Never! That would be merciless and hard-hearted​—attitudes that Jehovah is incapable of displaying.

⁸ We can be confident that Jehovah would never misrepresent himself, for he is a truthful God. (Ps. 31:5) So we can take him at his word. If you find it hard to let go of guilt for past sins, ask yourself: ‘Do I believe that Jehovah is truly merciful and compassionate and would never withhold forgiveness from any repentant sinner? Then shouldn’t I accept that he has forgiven me?’

9. What does it mean to have our sins pardoned? (Psalm 32:5)

⁹ Meditate on what Jehovah inspired Bible writers to say about his forgiveness. Consider, for example, how the Bible writer David described Jehovah’s forgiveness. (Read Psalm 32:5.) “You pardoned the error of my sins,” said David. The Hebrew word rendered “pardon” can mean “lift up,” “take away,” or “carry.” When forgiving David, Jehovah, in a sense, lifted up his sins and carried them away. David then found relief from the heavy guilt that he had been carrying. (Ps. 32:2-4) We can experience similar relief. When we sincerely repent of our transgressions, we need not continue to carry the burden of guilt for sins that Jehovah has lifted up and carried away from us.

10-11. What do the words “ready to forgive” tell us about Jehovah? (Psalm 86:5)

¹⁰ Read Psalm 86:5. David here speaks of Jehovah as being “ready to forgive.” Commenting on this expression, one Bible reference work says of Jehovah: “[He] is a ‘forgiver’​—it is his ‘nature.’” Why is it Jehovah’s nature to be forgiving? The next part of the verse explains: “You abound in loyal love for all those who call on you.” As we learned in the preceding article, loyal love impels Jehovah to form a deep, lasting attachment to his faithful worshippers. Moved by his loyal love, he “will freely forgive” all repentant sinners. (Isa. 55:7, ftn.) If you find it hard to accept God’s forgiveness, you might ask yourself: ‘Do I believe that Jehovah is a Forgiver​—that he readily forgives all repentant ones who call out to him for mercy? Then shouldn’t I accept that he forgave me when I cried out to him for mercy?’

¹¹ We can find comfort in knowing that Jehovah completely understands our sinful nature. (Ps. 139:1, 2) This is clear from another of David’s psalms, which can also help us to accept Jehovah’s forgiveness.

DO NOT FORGET WHAT JEHOVAH REMEMBERS

12-13. According to Psalm 103:14, what does Jehovah remember about us, and what does this move him to do?

¹² Read Psalm 103:14. David speaks of Jehovah as “remembering that we are dust.” With those words, David explains one of the reasons why Jehovah is ready to forgive repentant worshippers: He is ever mindful of our sinful nature. To understand this better, let us take a closer look at David’s words.

¹³ David says that Jehovah “well knows how we are formed.” He formed Adam “out of dust from the ground” and well knows that perfect humans have natural limitations​—for example, the need to eat, sleep, and breathe. (Gen. 2:7) But when Adam and Eve sinned, being dust took on added meaning. As their offspring, we inherited a sinful nature that makes us prone to doing wrong things. Jehovah is not just aware of our sinful nature; David speaks of him as “remembering” it. The Hebrew word used here can mean to take positive action. We might sum up the meaning of David’s words this way: Jehovah understands that we will fall short at times; when we do, he is moved to respond to our heartfelt repentance by showing us mercy and forgiveness.​—Ps. 78:38, 39.

14. (a) How does David explain Jehovah’s far-reaching forgiveness? (Psalm 103:12) (b) How does David’s example show the completeness of Jehovah’s forgiveness? (See the box “How Jehovah Forgives and Forgets.”)

¹⁴ How far-reaching is Jehovah’s forgiveness? (Read Psalm 103:12.) David says that when Jehovah forgives, He puts our sins “as far off as the sunrise [east] is from the sunset [west].” In a sense, east is always at the utmost distance imaginable from west; the two points can never meet. What does this tell us about the sins that Jehovah forgives? One reference work illustrates it this way: “If sin be removed so far, then we may be sure that the scent, the trace, the very memory of it must be entirely gone.” Just think​—a scent can trigger a memory. But when Jehovah forgives, it is as if not even a trace of a scent remains that would call to mind the sin and cause him to hold it against us.​—Ezek. 18:21, 22; Acts 3:19.

15. What can we do if we carry persistent guilt for past mistakes?

¹⁵ How can David’s words found in Psalm 103 help us to accept Jehovah’s forgiveness? If we carry persistent guilt for past sins, we can ask ourselves: ‘Am I forgetting what Jehovah remembers​—that is, am I forgetting that he is mindful of my sinful nature and will forgive a repentant sinner like me? Am I also remembering what Jehovah chooses to forget​—that is, am I remembering the sins that he has forgiven and would never hold against me?’ Jehovah does not focus on our past sins. Neither should we. (Ps. 130:3) When we accept Jehovah’s forgiveness, we will be able to forgive ourselves for past mistakes and move on.

16. Illustrate the danger of holding on to guilt for past sins. (See also picture.)

¹⁶ Consider an illustration. Holding on to guilt for past sins is like trying to drive a car forward while continuously looking in the rearview mirror. It is good to glance occasionally in the mirror; you can respond to potential dangers behind you. But to move forward safely, you must focus on the road ahead. Similarly, it can be helpful if we occasionally look back at our past mistakes; we can learn from them and strengthen our resolve not to repeat them. But if we keep focusing on past mistakes, the guilt we carry may limit what we can do now in serving God. Instead, may we keep focused on the road ahead of us. We are on the road that leads to life in God’s promised new world, where bad memories “will not be called to mind.”​—Isa. 65:17; Prov. 4:25.

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CONTINUE TO CONVINCE YOUR HEART

17. Why do we need to keep convincing our heart of Jehovah’s love and forgiveness?

¹⁷ We need to keep convincing our heart of Jehovah’s love and forgiveness. (1 John 3:19, ftn.) Why? Because Satan will not let up in his efforts to convince us that we are unlovable or unforgivable. Either way, his goal is the same​—to get us to stop serving Jehovah. We can expect that Satan will intensify his efforts because he knows that his time is short. (Rev. 12:12) We must not let him win!

18. What can you do to convince your heart of Jehovah’s love and forgiveness?

¹⁸ To strengthen your confidence in Jehovah’s love, apply the suggestions discussed in the preceding article. To convince your heart of Jehovah’s forgiveness, reflect on how Jehovah has described himself. Meditate on what he inspired Bible writers to say about his forgiveness. Do not forget that he is well-aware of your sinful nature and will deal with you mercifully. And remember that when he forgives, he does so completely. Then with the same type of confidence that David had in Jehovah’s mercy, you will be able to say, “Thank you, Jehovah, for pardoning ‘the error of my sins’!”​—Ps. 32:5.

1. What is true of all imperfect humans?

HAVE you ever had a strong desire to do something that Jehovah disapproves? If so, do not conclude that you face a greater trial than everyone else. The Bible says: “No temptation has come upon you except what is common to men.” (1 Cor. 10:13)a This means that whatever wrong desire you struggle with, others are dealing with it too. You are not alone, and with Jehovah’s help, you can win the fight.

2. What kinds of temptations might some Christians and Bible students struggle with? (See also pictures.)

² The Bible also says: “Each one is tried by being drawn out and enticed by his own desire.” (Jas. 1:14) What entices one person may differ from what entices another. For example, some Christians might be tempted to engage in immoral behavior with someone of the opposite sex; others, with someone of the same sex. Those who have quit viewing pornography might feel a strong urge to return to the habit. Many who have stopped abusing drugs or alcohol face a similar challenge. Those are a few desires that some Christians and Bible students struggle with. At some point, all of us have likely felt the way the apostle Paul did, who wrote: “When I wish to do what is right, what is bad is present with me.”​—Rom. 7:21.

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3. What effect can a persistent wrong desire have on an individual?

³ If you are dealing with a persistent wrong desire, you might feel powerless, as if you were unable to resist giving in to temptation. You might also feel hopeless, as if Jehovah would condemn you simply for having the wrong desire. Be assured that neither assumption is true! To explain why, this article will address two questions: (1) Where do feelings of powerlessness and hopelessness come from? (2) How can you win the fight against wrong desires?

HOW “THE WICKED ONE” WANTS US TO FEEL

4. (a) Why does Satan want us to feel powerless? (b) Why are we not powerless in our fight against temptation?

⁴ Satan wants us to feel powerless when we are tempted. Jesus acknowledged this when he taught his followers to pray: “Do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the wicked one.” (Matt. 6:13) Satan questions man’s willingness to obey Jehovah when faced with temptation. (Job 2:4, 5) Think about the irony of that. Satan is the one who was enticed by his own desire, and he was not willing to remain faithful to Jehovah. Evidently, he believes that we are just like him, that we will readily abandon Jehovah when we are tempted. Satan even thought that the perfect Son of God could be swayed by temptation! (Matt. 4:8, 9) But think: Are we really powerless in our fight against wrong desires? Not at all! We agree with the apostle Paul, who wrote: “For all things I have the strength through the one who gives me power.”​—Phil. 4:13.

5. How do we know that Jehovah is confident that we can win the fight against wrong desires?

⁵ In stark contrast to Satan, Jehovah is confident that we can resist wrong desires. How do we know that? Because Jehovah foretold that a great crowd of integrity-keepers would survive the great tribulation. Think about what that means. Jehovah, who cannot lie, says that a large number​—not just a few—​will enter his new world with a clean standing, having “washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” (Rev. 7:9, 13, 14) Clearly, Jehovah does not view us as powerless in our fight against wrong desires.

6-7. Why does Satan want us to feel hopeless in our fight against temptation?

⁶ Satan would like us to feel not only powerless but also hopeless​—as if Jehovah would condemn us simply for having wrong desires. Again, think of the irony. Satan is the one who is hopeless, judged by Jehovah as unworthy of eternal life. (Gen. 3:15; Rev. 20:10) Satan no doubt wants us to feel hopeless too​—especially since we have the prospect of attaining the very blessing that he has been denied. However, we are not hopeless. In fact, the Bible assures us that Jehovah wants to help us, not condemn us. He “does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.”​—2 Pet. 3:9.

⁷ Really, then, if we believe that we are either powerless or hopeless in our fight against wrong desires, we are thinking the way Satan would like us to think. Realizing that can help us strengthen our resolve to take a firm stand against him.​—1 Pet. 5:8, 9.

HOW OUR SINFUL CONDITION CAN MAKE US FEEL

8. Besides wrong acts, what does sin involve? (Psalm 51:5) (See also “Expression Explained.”)

⁸ Besides Satan, there is another factor that can cause us to feel powerless and hopeless in our fight against wrong desires. What is it? Our sinful condition, which we inherited from our first human parents.b​—Job 14:4; read Psalm 51:5.

9-10. (a) How did the condition of sin affect Adam and Eve? (See also picture.) (b) How does the condition of sin affect us?

⁹ Consider how the condition of sin affected Adam and Eve. After disobeying Jehovah, they hid themselves and tried to cover their bodies. Commenting on that act, Insight on the Scriptures says: “Sin thus caused them to feel guilt, anxiety, insecurity, shame.” It was as if Adam and Eve were locked inside a house that had only those four rooms. Adam and Eve could move from one room to another, but they could not get out of the house. They could not escape their sinful condition.

¹⁰ Of course, we are not in the exact same circumstance as Adam and Eve were in. The ransom​—which does not apply to the first couple—​can cleanse us of sin and give us a clean conscience. (1 Cor. 6:11) Still, we inherited a sinful condition. It is hardly surprising, therefore, that we too feel guilt, anxiety, insecurity, and shame. In fact, the Bible says that sin continues to hold mankind in its grip. And it has done so “even over those who [have] not sinned in the same way that Adam transgressed.” (Rom. 5:14) As discouraging as that fact might seem, it need not make us feel powerless and hopeless. We can reject those negative feelings. How?

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11. How should we react to feelings of powerlessness, and why? (Romans 6:12)

¹¹ When we feel powerless​—as if we could not successfully fight wrong desires—​we can view that as our sinful condition “talking,” and we should not listen to it. Why? Because the Bible teaches that we do not have to let sin continue to “rule as king” over us. (Read Romans 6:12.) This means that we can choose not to act on wrong desires. (Gal. 5:16) Jehovah is confident that we can resist temptation; otherwise, he would not require us to do so. (Deut. 30:11-14; Rom. 6:6; 1 Thess. 4:3) Clearly, we are not powerless in our fight against wrong desires.

12. How should we react to feelings of hopelessness, and why?

¹² Similarly, when we feel hopeless​—as if Jehovah would condemn us simply for having wrong desires—​we can view that as our sinful condition “talking,” and we should not listen to it. Why? Because the Bible teaches that Jehovah understands our sinful condition. (Ps. 103:13, 14) He “knows all things” about us, including the different ways that our inherited sinful condition has contributed to our wrong inclinations. (1 John 3:19, 20) As long as we do not give in to sinful inclinations by carrying out wrong desires, we can have a clean standing with Jehovah. Why can we be certain of that?

13-14. Does simply having wrong desires mean that we have failed? Explain.

¹³ The Bible distinguishes between the practice of what is wrong (which we can control) and the desire for what is wrong (which may arise involuntarily). For example, some among the first-century Christians in Corinth formerly practiced homosexuality. Paul wrote: “That is what some of you were.” Did this mean that they never again had any desire to commit homosexual acts? It would not be realistic to believe so, since such cravings are often deeply ingrained. But Christians who exercised self-control and avoided acting on their desires were acceptable to Jehovah. He considered them “washed clean.” (1 Cor. 6:9-11) The same can be true of you.

¹⁴ No matter what wrong desires you struggle with, you can succeed in overcoming them. Even if you cannot eliminate them, you can exercise self-control and keep from “carrying out the will of the flesh and of [your] thoughts.” (Eph. 2:3) How can you do that and thereby win the fight against wrong desires?

HOW TO WIN

15. If we are to win the fight against wrong desires, why do we need to be honest with ourselves?

¹⁵ To win the fight against wrong desires, you will need to be honest with yourself about your weaknesses. Be careful not to deceive yourself with “false reasoning.” (Jas. 1:22) Minimizing the problem​—such as by reasoning, ‘Others drink more than I do,’ or by blaming others for it, ‘I wouldn’t be tempted to look at pornography if my wife were more affectionate’—​will only make it easier for you to give in to temptation. So do not try to justify a wrong course, even in your thinking. Take responsibility for your actions.​—Gal. 6:7.

16. How can you strengthen your resolve to do what is right?

¹⁶ Besides being honest with yourself about your weaknesses, you will need to strengthen your resolve not to give in to them. (1 Cor. 9:26, 27; 1 Thess. 4:4; 1 Pet. 1:15, 16) Take note of what makes you most vulnerable and when. It might be a certain type of temptation or a certain time of day when you are more likely to be tempted. For example, are you more vulnerable when you are tired or when it is late at night? Anticipate the temptation, and mentally rehearse how you will respond to it. The best time to do this is before the temptation occurs.​—Prov. 22:3.

17. What can we learn from Joseph’s example? (Genesis 39:7-9) (See also pictures.)

¹⁷ Consider how Joseph responded when Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. His refusal of her advances was immediate and decisive. (Read Genesis 39:7-9.) What does that indicate? Joseph knew exactly how he felt about taking another man’s wife before Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. In the same way, you can strengthen your resolve to do what is right before a tempting situation presents itself. That way, when you are tempted, it will be easier for you to follow through on the decision that you have already made.

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“KEEP TESTING”

18. How can you win the fight against wrong desires? (2 Corinthians 13:5)

¹⁸ To win the fight against wrong desires, you will need to “keep testing” yourself​—that is, keep examining yourself regularly to see how you are doing. (Read 2 Corinthians 13:5.) From time to time, review your thinking and actions and make adjustments where needed. For example, even when you succeed in rejecting temptation, you can ask yourself: ‘How long did it take me to say no?’ If you realize that you delayed, do not condemn yourself. Instead, take steps to shore up your defenses. Ask yourself such questions as: ‘Can I reduce the amount of time it takes me to dismiss improper thoughts? Is my choice of entertainment making it more difficult for me to resist temptation? Do I immediately turn my eyes away from immoral scenes? Do I understand why Jehovah’s standards are always for the best even when they require that I exercise self-control?’​—Ps. 101:3.

19. How can seemingly small unwise decisions make it more difficult for us to fight wrong desires?

¹⁹ You should also avoid rationalizing. The Bible says: “The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate.” (Jer. 17:9) Jesus said that it produces “wicked reasonings.” (Matt. 15:19) For example, a person who has stopped viewing pornography may, after a time, think that it is “safe” to look at sexually arousing photos because they do not contain outright nudity. Or he might reason, ‘There is nothing wrong with fantasizing about improper desires as long as I don’t carry them out.’ In a sense, that person’s treacherous heart is “planning ahead for the desires of the flesh.” (Rom. 13:14) How can you avoid doing that? Be aware of and avoid making small unwise decisions that will lead you to making big unwise decisions, such as giving in to wrongdoing.c Reject also any thoughts, or “wicked reasonings,” that tend to excuse wrong behavior.

20. What prospect do we have for the future, and what help do we have right now?

²⁰ As we have learned, by means of Jehovah’s help, we have the power to resist temptation. Also, thanks to his mercy, we have the hope of everlasting life in the new world. What a relief it will be to serve Jehovah with a pure mind and heart! Until that time, we can be certain that we are neither powerless nor hopeless in our fight against wrong desires. With Jehovah’s blessing on our efforts, we can win!

I was born in 1951 in Vienna, Austria, to a Catholic family. I was timid, but I believed in God and prayed often. When I was nine, my father started studying with Jehovah’s Witnesses; my mother joined him a little later.

We soon became part of the Döbling Congregation in Vienna. As a family, we did a lot together. We read and studied the Bible, attended congregation meetings, and served as volunteers at assemblies. Early on in my childhood, my father instilled in me a deep love for Jehovah. In fact, my father’s prayer was that my sister and I become pioneers. But back then, that was not my goal.

STARTING FULL-TIME SERVICE

I got baptized in 1965, at the age of 14. However, I found it difficult to approach strangers in the ministry. I also struggled with feelings of inferiority and desperately wanted to be accepted by other young people. So not long after my baptism, I started associating with those who didn’t serve Jehovah. Although I liked their company, my conscience bothered me because I spent so much time with non-Witnesses. But I did not have the strength to change. What helped me?

About that time, a 16-year-old girl named Dorothée joined our congregation. Her zeal for the house-to-house work impressed me. I was a little older than she was, but I was not very active in the ministry. I thought to myself: ‘My parents are Witnesses, but Dorothée has no family in the truth. She lives with her sick mother, and yet she is always out in the ministry!’ Her example motivated me to do more for Jehovah. Soon thereafter, Dorothée and I became pioneer partners. First, we were auxiliary pioneers, then called vacation pioneers, and later, we served together as regular pioneers. Dorothée’s enthusiasm was contagious. She helped me to start my first Bible study. In time, I began to feel a little more relaxed about approaching people at the door, on the street, and in other situations.

During my first year as a regular pioneer, an Austrian brother named Heinz came to our congregation. He had learned the truth in Canada while visiting his brother, who was a Witness. Heinz was assigned to our congregation in Vienna as a special pioneer. I liked him right from the start. But he wanted to become a missionary, and I had no intention of serving as a missionary. So at first, I hid my feelings for him. Later, though, Heinz and I started dating, got married, and began pioneering together in Austria.

MISSIONARY WORK AS A GOAL

Heinz would often speak to me about his desire to become a missionary. Although he never pressured me, he would ask motivating questions, such as, “Since we do not have children, could we do more in Jehovah’s service?” Because of my shy personality, I was afraid to be a missionary. True, I pioneered, but the whole idea of a missionary assignment seemed overwhelming. Yet, Heinz patiently kept the goal alive. He also encouraged me to focus more on caring about people than on worrying about myself. His advice really helped.

Gradually, I developed the desire to enter the missionary work, so we applied for Gilead School. However, the branch servant suggested that I first improve my English. After three years of striving to improve my English, we were surprised to receive an assignment to a Yugoslavian congregation in Salzburg, Austria. We worked in that field for the next seven years, including one year in circuit work. The Serbo-Croatian language was difficult, but we had many Bible studies.

Then in 1979 we were asked to go on “vacation” to Bulgaria. The preaching work there was banned. So we did not do any preaching on that “vacation.” But we did smuggle miniature literature into the country for the five sisters who lived in Sofia, the capital city. I was terrified, but Jehovah helped me with that exciting assignment. Seeing the courage of those sisters and the joy they had despite the risk of imprisonment gave me confidence to do my best at whatever Jehovah’s organization asked of me.

Meanwhile, we reapplied for Gilead, and this time, we were accepted. We thought we would be attending the school in English in the United States. But in November 1981, the Gilead Extension School started at the branch in Wiesbaden, Germany. So we were able to attend the course in German, which was easier for me to understand. Where would we be assigned?

SERVING IN A WAR-TORN COUNTRY

Our assignment was Kenya! However, the Kenya branch office asked us if we would be willing to serve in the neighboring country of Uganda. Over ten years earlier, the Ugandan government had been overthrown in a military coup led by General Idi Amin. In the years that followed, his dictatorship brought death to thousands and turmoil to millions. Then in 1979 the Ugandan government was once again overthrown. Needless to say, I felt somewhat unsure about moving to a war-torn country. But Gilead had prepared us to trust in Jehovah. So we said yes.

The situation in Uganda was chaotic. Heinz described it this way in the 2010 Yearbook: “Many services, . . . such as water supply and communication, had broken down. . . . Shootings and robberies were common, especially at night. . . . Everyone remained at home, hoping​—and often praying—​that the night would pass without uninvited visitors.” Despite these challenges, the local brothers were thriving spiritually!

In 1982, Heinz and I arrived in Kampala, Uganda’s capital. During the first five months, we stayed at the home of Sam and Christina Waiswa along with their five children and four relatives. Brother and Sister Waiswa and their family often had only one meal a day, which made their hospitality truly remarkable. During our time with the Waiswas, Heinz and I learned many practical lessons that helped us with missionary life. For instance, we learned how to save water by bathing with just a few liters and using the rinse water to flush the toilets. In 1983, Heinz and I found our own home in a reasonably safe area of Kampala.

We truly enjoyed the ministry. I recall that in one month we placed over 4,000 magazines! But the people were the best part. They respected God and wanted to talk about the Bible. Heinz and I typically had 10 to 15 Bible studies each. And we learned a lot from our students. For example, we appreciated their positive spirit as they walked to and from the meetings each week, never complaining and always smiling.

In 1985 and 1986, there were two more military conflicts in Uganda. We often saw child soldiers armed with assault rifles and manning checkpoints. During that time, we prayed for discernment and a calm heart as we searched for interested ones in the ministry. And Jehovah answered our prayers. We often forgot our fears as soon as we met someone who responded positively to the Kingdom message.

We also enjoyed witnessing to foreigners. For example, we met and studied with Murat and Dilbar Ibatullin, a married couple from Tatarstan (Central Russia). Murat was a health-care professional. The couple came into the truth and have been active ever since. Later, I was privileged to meet Tatjana Vileyska, a woman from Ukraine who had been contemplating suicide. After Tatjana got baptized, she moved back to Ukraine and later served as a translator of our publications.a

NEW CHALLENGES

In 1991 while Heinz and I were on vacation in Austria, we were contacted by the local branch and informed about a new assignment: Bulgaria. After the fall of communism in Eastern Europe, the work of Jehovah’s Witnesses was legalized in Bulgaria. As mentioned, Heinz and I had previously smuggled literature into that country while the work was banned. But now we were being sent there to preach.

We were directed not to go back to Uganda. So without returning to our missionary home to pack our things or to say goodbye to friends, we went to Bethel in Germany, got a car, and traveled to Bulgaria. We were assigned to a group of about 20 publishers in Sofia.

We faced several new challenges in Bulgaria. First, we did not know the language. In addition, the only publications readily available in Bulgarian were The Truth That Leads to Eternal Life and My Book of Bible Stories. And we found it difficult to start Bible studies. Despite these challenges, our small but zealous group of Witnesses was making progress. The Orthodox Church noticed, and that is when the real problems began.

In 1994 the Witnesses were deregistered and treated like a forbidden sect. Some brothers were arrested. The media spread terrible lies about us, claiming that Jehovah’s Witnesses not only killed children but also convinced other Witnesses to commit suicide. Heinz and I found it difficult to preach. We often encountered aggressive people who screamed at us, called the police on us, and even threw things at us. It was not possible to get literature into the country, and renting halls for meetings became a challenge. The police even broke up one of our conventions. Heinz and I were not used to such hatred. How unlike the productive, friendly field we were used to in Uganda! What enabled us to deal with the change?

We found joy in associating with the local brothers and sisters. They were happy to have found the truth and appreciated the assistance we gave them. All stayed close together and supported one another. We learned from those experiences that we can be happy in any assignment if we remain people-oriented.

In time, however, things did improve. Our organization was reregistered in 1998, and many publications soon became available in Bulgarian. Then in 2004 a new branch building was dedicated. Today, there are 57 congregations in Bulgaria, with 2,953 publishers. This past service year, a total of 6,475 attended the Memorial. While at one time there were only five sisters in Sofia, we now have nine congregations! We have truly seen “the little one . . . become a thousand.”​—Isa. 60:22.

COPING WITH PERSONAL TRIALS

I have had my share of health problems. Over the years, I have developed several tumors, including one in my head. I received radiation therapy and underwent a 12-hour surgery in India to remove most of it. After I recovered at the India branch, we returned to our assignment in Bulgaria.

Meanwhile, Heinz started suffering from a rare hereditary condition called Huntington’s disease. He struggled to walk, talk, and control his movements. As the disease progressed, he became more and more dependent on me. I felt overwhelmed at times and worried about how things would turn out. However, a young brother named Bobi regularly invited Heinz to preach with him. Bobi was not embarrassed by Heinz’s speech or by his uncontrolled movements. I could always count on Bobi when I was not able to assist Heinz. Although Heinz and I put off having children in this system, we felt that Jehovah gave us Bobi as a son!​—Mark 10:29, 30.

Heinz also struggled with cancer. Sadly, my dear husband passed away in 2015. I felt so insecure after Heinz died; it was unreal to me that he was gone. But in my memory, he is so alive! (Luke 20:38) I often vividly recall his kind words and sound advice as I go about my day. I’m very thankful for our years of faithful service together.

GRATEFUL FOR JEHOVAH’S SUPPORT

Jehovah certainly has sustained me in all my trials. He also helped me to overcome my shyness and to become a people-oriented missionary. (2 Tim. 1:7) Thanks to Jehovah, my younger sister and I are now both in full-time service. Today, she and her husband are serving in a Serbian circuit in Europe. My father’s prayers spoken all those years ago were answered!

My study of the Bible gives me inner peace. In difficult times, I have learned to pray “more earnestly,” as Jesus did. (Luke 22:44) One way my prayers are answered is through the love and kindness of the friends in my congregation in Nadezhda, Sofia. They invite me for association and often express their appreciation, which gives me intense joy.

I often meditate on the resurrection. I imagine seeing my parents in front of our house, looking as beautiful as they did when they got married. I see my sister preparing a meal. I picture Heinz standing next to his horse. Such images take my mind off negative feelings and fill my heart with gratitude to Jehovah.

Reflecting on my life and looking to the future, I wholeheartedly agree with David’s words found at Psalm 27:13, 14: “Where would I be if I did not have faith that I would see Jehovah’s goodness in the land of the living? Hope in Jehovah; be courageous and strong of heart. Yes, hope in Jehovah.”

When will the current preaching work end?

Jesus stated: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) The Greek word translated “end” in this verse, as well as in verses 6 and 13, is teʹlos. It refers to the final end of Satan’s world at Armageddon. (Rev. 16:14, 16) Thus, we will continue to preach the good news until just before that final end. This adjusts our earlier understanding.

Previously, we understood that we would stop preaching the good news when the great tribulation began with the destruction of Babylon the Great. (Rev. 17:3, 5, 15, 16) This event, we believed, would mark the end of the figurative “year of Jehovah’s goodwill.” (Isa. 61:2) We also felt that those who would survive the great tribulation would prove their devotion to Jehovah before that event. We compared them to the Jews who survived the destruction of Jerusalem in 607 B.C.E. These individuals had been marked for survival earlier because they worshipped Jehovah and hated wickedness. (Ezek. 5:11; 9:4) That comparison, however, does not harmonize with Jesus’ words found at Matthew 24:14, which indicate that people may have the opportunity to respond to the good news until just before the final end at Armageddon.

Our clarified understanding of Matthew 24:14 also adjusts our understanding of the hailstonelike message foretold at Revelation 16:21. Further examination has revealed that the two scriptures complement each other. How so? The answer lies in how people respond to the Kingdom message. To “those who are being saved,” wrote the apostle Paul, the message is good news, “a fragrance of life.” But to God’s enemies, it is bad news, “an odor of death.” (2 Cor. 2:15, 16) They hate the Kingdom message because it exposes their world for what it is​—wicked, ruled by Satan, and headed for destruction.​—John 7:7; 1 John 2:17; 5:19.

Note, too, that the symbolic hailstorm will be “unusually great.” This suggests that during the great tribulation, the preaching work may become more hard-hitting, that is, Jehovah’s name will be made known as never before. (Ezek. 39:7) At that late point in time, after the destruction of Babylon the Great, will some be drawn to the message as to a sweet fragrance? This is quite possible. Perhaps they may recall or learn that for many years Jehovah’s Witnesses had announced the end of false religion.

By way of comparison, consider what happened in ancient Egypt following the Ten Plagues. After Jehovah “[executed] judgment on all the gods of Egypt,” his people were joined by “a vast mixed company” of non-Israelites. (Ex. 12:12, 37, 38) These foreigners may have turned to Jehovah when they saw Moses’ warnings about the Ten Plagues come true.

Any who turn to Jehovah after the destruction of Babylon the Great will have the privilege of doing good to Christ’s brothers who will still be on earth. (Matt. 25:34-36, 40) Of course, that opportunity to be judged as sheep will end shortly before Armageddon when the remaining anointed ones receive their heavenly reward.

This clarified understanding powerfully illustrates Jehovah’s great love and mercy. Yes, he “does not desire anyone to be destroyed but desires all to attain to repentance.”​—2 Pet. 3:9.

Marginal references in the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures show the internal harmony of the Bible by connecting you to scriptures containing additional details. Marginal references are indicated by a small character following a word. In printed Bibles, look for the matching character in the center or side column to find related scriptures. On jw.org or in the JW Library^® app, tap on the character to view the reference scriptures.

Marginal references may link you to any of the following and more:

Parallel Account: The reference identifies another occurrence of the same event. For example, see 2 Samuel 24:1 and 1 Chronicles 21:1.

Quotation: The reference shows where a phrase or an expression originated. For example, see Matthew 4:4 and Deuteronomy 8:3.

Fulfilled prophecy: The reference links a prophecy with its fulfillment. For example, see Matthew 21:5 and Zechariah 9:9.