“Prove Yourselves Ready”

¹ In his great prophecy regarding the conclusion of this system of things, Jesus cautioned against becoming absorbed by the mundane concerns of life. (Matt. 24:36-39; Luke 21:34, 35) Since the outbreak of the great tribulation can occur at any time, it is imperative that we heed Jesus’ admonition: “Prove yourselves ready, because at an hour that you do not think to be it, the Son of man is coming.” (Matt. 24:44) What can assist us in this regard?

² Combating Anxieties and Distractions: One of the spiritual pitfalls we must guard against is “anxieties over livelihood.” (Luke 21:34, ftn.) In some lands, poverty, unemployment, and the high cost of living make it difficult to obtain the necessities of life. In other lands, acquiring material possessions is commonplace. If concern over material things begins to dominate our thinking, we are in danger of losing our focus on Kingdom realities. (Matt. 6:19-24, 31-33) Christian meetings help us to maintain that focus. Do you make it your aim to attend every meeting?​—Heb. 10:24, 25.

³ The world today is full of distractions that can easily rob us of precious time. Computer use can become a snare if one spends inordinate amounts of time browsing the Internet, reading and sending E-mail, or playing computer games. Countless hours can be lost to television, movies, hobbies, secular reading, and sports, leaving us with little time or energy for spiritual pursuits. While recreation and relaxation can provide refreshment temporarily, personal and family Bible study yield everlasting benefits. (1 Tim. 4:7, 8) Do you buy out time to meditate on God’s Word each day?​—Eph. 5:15-17.

⁴ How grateful we can be that Jehovah’s organization has arranged a program of spiritual instruction to help us “succeed in escaping all [the] things that are destined to occur, and in standing before the Son of man”! (Luke 21:36) May we take full advantage of these provisions and ‘prove ourselves ready’ so that our faith may be “a cause for praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”​—1 Pet. 1:7.

Commendation Refreshes

¹ “Haven’t I been a good girl today?” the little girl sobbed at bedtime. That question took her mother aback. Despite having noticed how hard her little girl was trying to behave that day, she had neglected to express even one word of appreciation. That little girl’s tears should serve as a reminder that all of us​—young and old—​need commendation. Do we refresh those around us by expressing appreciation for the good that they do?​—Prov. 25:11.

² Fellow Christians give us many good reasons to commend them. Elders, ministerial servants, and pioneers work hard to fulfill their responsibilities. (1 Tim. 4:10; 5:17) God-fearing parents do their utmost to raise their children in Jehovah’s ways. (Eph. 6:4) Christian youths put up a hard fight to resist “the spirit of the world.” (1 Cor. 2:12; Eph. 2:1-3) Others faithfully serve Jehovah despite advancing age, health problems, or other trials. (2 Cor. 12:7) All such ones deserve commendation. Do we acknowledge their praiseworthy efforts?

³ Personal and Specific: We all truly appreciate hearing commendation from the platform. However, commendation is even more refreshing when it is directed to us personally. For example, in chapter 16 of his letter to the Romans, Paul made specific expressions of appreciation regarding Phoebe, Prisca and Aquila, Tryphaena and Tryphosa, and Persis, among others. (Rom. 16:1-4, 12) How refreshing his words must have been to those faithful ones! Such praise reassures our brothers and sisters that they are needed and serves to draw us closer together. Have you given specific personal commendation recently?​—Eph. 4:29.

⁴ From the Heart: To be truly refreshing, commendation must be sincere. People can tell whether we are speaking from the heart or we are merely ‘flattering with the tongue.’ (Prov. 28:23) As we train ourselves to notice the good in others, our heart will be moved to commend. May we be generous in giving genuine commendation, knowing that “a word at its right time is O how good!”​—Prov. 15:23.