How to Prepare for Difficulties After Baptism

We KNOW that in Satan's world all of us will have problems. In fact, Jesus realistically warned his followers: “Stumbling blocks are bound to come” (Matt. 18:7). So we can expect problems to arise in our Christian life, perhaps even involving our brothers and sisters, and that is why it is wise to prepare in advance.

Consider an example. Jehovah's organization regularly reminds us to be prepared for possible natural disasters. How do we do that? First, we find out what disasters may occur where we live. That is especially important if we are new to that area. And second, we make plans so that we know how to act in each kind of disaster (Prov. 21:5). Similarly, we can think about the problems we may face in our Christian life and prepare now so that we know how to act in each case. Then those problems will not affect us as much or damage our relationship with Jehovah (Ps. 17:5). Let us consider three possible difficulties and how we can prepare for each one.

Do you remember how you felt the first time you attended a meeting of Jehovah's Witnesses? Perhaps you noticed the love the brothers showed one another, and that convinced you that you had found the truth (John 13:35; Col. 3:12). That is what happened to Blanca. But she explains that after she got baptized, something happened that she had not expected: “A sister treated me very badly. And on top of that, I noticed that she often criticized others. I did not expect that because I had been taught that Jehovah's Witnesses work hard to be peaceable and to show love.”

It is true that the brothers do everything they can to develop Christian qualities, but they are still imperfect (Eph. 4:23, 24; 1 John 1:8). So sooner or later, someone will likely do or say something that hurts us (Jas. 3:8). Sadly, some have become so offended that they have stopped serving Jehovah.

What can you do now so that you will be ready if a brother hurts or offends you? Make it your habit to apply the counsel at Ephesians 4:32 (read it). If you do everything in your power to be kind and compassionate, you will likely avoid unnecessary problems with others. Make it your goal to forgive generously those who hurt you.

What will help you do that? Remember how many times you ask Jehovah to forgive your mistakes and how he always forgives you generously (Matt. 6:12). If you meditate on that with gratitude, it will be easier for you to forgive others.

(Read Proverbs 19:11). The Bible says that when someone offends us, insight can help us hold back our anger. (...) I try to think about their circumstances and their experiences and what may have led them to act that way. I also try to go out in the ministry with them so that I can get to know them better. No doubt it is good for us, starting right now, to keep getting to know and understand our brothers better. Then if they ever offend us, it will be easier for us to forgive them.

What can you do so that you will enjoy good friendships in the congregation? As you get to know the brothers, make a real effort to focus on their good qualities (compare with Proverbs 10:12; Rom. 12:10; Phil. 2:2, 3). Consider the case of a newly baptized brother named Mark. He explains: “I realized that I was giving too much importance to small mistakes that were nothing compared with the horrible attitudes and actions you see in the world. I understood that I needed to change my thinking and focus more on the virtues of my brothers.” If you do the same, you will enjoy good friendships in the congregation.

When you learned the truth and left Satan's world behind, you surely felt very relieved. So it may be hard for you to believe that someone could start missing that world. However, the problems of life might cause a person to remember or even miss some of the things he left behind in order to serve Jehovah (compare with Numbers 11:4-6). For example, some brothers have given up jobs that brought them great prestige. Others may have seen close friends pull away from them. And some have overcome an addiction that Jehovah hates but that once gave them a certain pleasure.

In the Bible we find examples of faithful servants who could have started missing what they had left behind. For example, Abraham and Sarah, because they obeyed Jehovah, left the prosperous and fortified city of Ur and went to live in tents (Heb. 11:8, 9). They probably remembered at times the comforts they had in Ur. Yet “if they had kept remembering” what they had left behind, they might have felt tempted to return. Instead of dwelling on what their former life was like, they focused on the future (Heb. 11:15, 16).

The apostle Paul also gave up many things in order to serve Jehovah. Before becoming a Christian, he had studied under a highly respected teacher of Jewish Law named Gamaliel (Acts 22:3). Paul had everything in his favor to become a very important Jewish religious leader (Gal. 1:13, 14). Yet when he accepted the good news, he left all of that behind. He focused on the tremendous privilege of being a follower of Jesus and on the wonderful reward he would receive in the future. Paul had no doubt at all that those blessings far outweighed the sacrifices he had made (read Philippians 3:7, 8, 13).

So what is the lesson? If you notice that you are thinking about the things you left behind, also remember why you gave them up (Eccl. 7:10). Think about how many blessings you enjoy by being in the truth. For example, you have a close friendship with the Sovereign of the universe (Prov. 3:32). You also have a large spiritual family that loves you very much (read Mark 10:29, 30). And what a wonderful future awaits you (Isa. 65:21-23). If you regularly meditate on all the good things you have because you serve Jehovah, you will be less likely to miss what you gave up.

Consider the case of Rosemary. She explains: “I came up with a way to replace Christmas. Every year on a different day, I gather the family, give them gifts, and tell them why I love them so much.” But there was something else she found difficult. She adds: “When I learned the truth, my longtime friends abandoned me.” She began making plans with several sisters to go in the ministry. She says: “I made new friendships that I love and value.” How can Rosemary's example help you? If you miss something that used to make you feel happy before you knew the truth, why not replace it with something that also brings you joy and that Jehovah approves of? (Phil. 4:8, 9).

When you became one of Jehovah's Witnesses, you surely felt happy to leave this morally corrupt world and enter a spiritual oasis (Isa. 65:14). But from time to time, you may hear that a brother committed a serious sin or was even removed from the congregation (1 Cor. 5:13). This can be especially difficult if it involves a close friend, a family member, or someone you deeply respected.

How can you prepare so that your faith will not be affected if someone very close to you leaves Jehovah? Keep strengthening your own relationship with Jehovah (Jas. 4:8). Do not allow your faith to depend on whether others are faithful or not. It is true that we study the Bible and pray as a family and as a congregation, but each of us needs to offer his own prayers and do his own Bible reading (Ps. 1:2; 62:8).

The example of the apostle Peter can also help us. On one occasion, many disciples stopped following Jesus because they did not understand what he said. Perhaps Peter did not fully understand Jesus' words either, but notice his response (read John 6:66-68). Although some abandoned Jesus, Peter did not because he knew that Jesus was teaching the truth. In the same way, even if some leave Jehovah's organization, we do not, because we know that this is where we learn the truth.

Consider the case of Emily. Just one week after she got baptized, her mother left the family and was removed from the congregation. Emily says: “I am not alone. I have the support of my dad and of the brothers in the congregation, who have become like family to me. All of us are struggling with something. That is why it is important for us to stay united and keep encouraging one another” (1 Pet. 5:9). So do not wait until you are facing problems before you build good friendships in the congregation.

On the other hand, do not forget that Jehovah disciplines those whom he loves (Heb. 12:6). He wants all those who have been removed from the congregation to return (2 Pet. 3:9). So if a friend or a relative has been removed from the congregation, you can be sure that the elders will do everything in their power to help him come back to Jehovah (2 Tim. 2:24, 25).

We have considered some of the difficulties you may face after baptism. Although some may seem great, there is no need to be anxious. There is much you can do to prepare in advance. And never forget that you have Jehovah, who can give you the best help possible. He has already supported you in the past and will continue to do so in the future (1 Pet. 5:10). He will always give you the strength and endurance you need to face any difficulty. Take advantage of Jehovah's help, and nothing will be able to pull you away from him (Ps. 119:165; Rom. 8:38, 39).