JW subtitle extractor

Our theme scripture
is 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4:
“Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“the Father of tender mercies
and the God of all comfort,
“who comforts us in all our trials
“so that we may be able to comfort others
in any sort of trial with the comfort
that we receive from God.”
From the time we were born,
all of us have been in need of comfort.
You don’t remember the first time you cried
because you were hungry,
uncomfortable, or needing to be held.
But you probably do remember
the last time you needed comfort,
and no doubt many of us
are in need of comfort right now.
This is understandable.
Psalm 90:10 poetically describes
our life as imperfect humans by stating:
“The span of our life is 70 years,
“or 80 if one is especially strong.
“But they are filled with trouble and sorrow;
they quickly pass by, and away we fly.”
Many different situations
can cause us trouble and sorrow,
disappointment, or pain.
Some of them are what we might call common
because every imperfect human
has to deal with them
—getting sick, growing old,
and grieving the death of a loved one.
Other reasons for distress
could be called circumstantial
—accidents, economic problems,
the breakup of a marriage, natural disasters,
becoming a victim of abuse or other crimes,
civil unrest, and war.
In addition, we may need comfort
related to our worship
—living in a divided household,
experiencing persecution or imprisonment,
facing ridicule
in school or at the workplace.
Or perhaps a family member
or a close friend leaves Jehovah.
Repentant wrongdoers also need comfort
when they return to the congregation.
Whether the cause of our distress
is common, circumstantial,
or because of our worship,
all of us are in need of comfort.
And the problem is worldwide.
First Peter 5:9 tells us
that “the same kind of sufferings
are being experienced
by the entire association of your brothers
in the world.”
However, we can find comfort
from the One
who is revealed in verses 6 and 7,
where it directs:
“Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God,
“so that he may exalt you in due time,
“while you throw all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you.”
Jehovah has always been
the ultimate Source of true comfort.
Moses was convinced that Jehovah
would support and comfort him
no matter what situation he faced.
With confidence,
he wrote what we find at Deuteronomy 33:27:
“God is a refuge from ancient times,
his everlasting arms are beneath you.”
When we’re down and struggling to get up,
Jehovah will put his arms beneath us,
gently lift us up,
and help us to get back on our feet.
The Psalms repeatedly express appreciation
for Jehovah’s tender care and comfort.
For example, the writer of Psalm 94:19
voiced his gratitude to Jehovah by saying:
“When anxieties overwhelmed me,
you comforted and soothed me.”
As Romans 15:4 confirms:
“All the things that were written beforehand
were written for our instruction,
“so that through our endurance
“and through the comfort from the Scriptures
we might have hope.”
No matter what’s causing us distress,
we can find scriptures that bring us comfort.
The book Scriptures for Christian Living
includes the heading “Comfort,”
which discusses many causes
of discouragement.
Not only does it direct us to scriptures
that confirm Jehovah’s loving care
but it also gives
examples of Bible characters
who suffered these hardships
and how Jehovah helped them.
One of the best ways
to receive comfort from Jehovah
is to ask him for it.
In the words of Psalm 145,
King David praised Jehovah
for the way He answers prayers.
Let’s read verses 18 and 19.
David wrote:
“Jehovah is near to all those calling on him,
“to all who call on him in truth.
“He satisfies the desire
of those who fear him;
he hears their cry for help,
and he rescues them.”
Just as a loving parent
patiently responds
to his child’s tearful cries,
Jehovah turns his compassionate ear
to our pleas for help.
As described in 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2,
the Israelite woman Hannah
was so distraught
and “extremely bitter”
over not having any children
that she couldn’t eat.
When she approached Jehovah
at the tabernacle, “she began to pray . . .
and to weep uncontrollably.”
Jehovah listened to and acted on
this humble woman’s prayer.
After that, Hannah “went on her way and ate,
and her face was no longer downcast.”
Similarly, Jehovah will comfort us
when we pour out our concerns
in heartfelt prayer.
In view of all that the Bible
has to say about comfort,
we’re not surprised when we read the words
of 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
Please open to this theme text
for our discussion.
As we read it again,
reflect on how these words
can help us to comfort others
while we ourselves
cope with the stressful conditions
of these critical times.
Second Corinthians 1:3, 4 reads:
“Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“the Father of tender mercies
“and the God of all comfort,
“who comforts us in all our trials
“so that we may be able to comfort others
“in any sort of trial with the comfort
that we receive from God.”
The expression “tender mercies”
comes from a word that’s used
to convey sorrow at the suffering of another.
It describes Jehovah’s tender feelings
for his faithful servants
who are in distress.
Paul goes on to say
that Jehovah is “the God of all comfort.”
So all comfort originates with Jehovah.
Verse 4 identifies a special way
that Jehovah gives comfort,
and that’s through our brothers and sisters.
Let’s read it again.
It says that Jehovah “comforts us
“in all our trials
“so that we may be able to comfort others
“in any sort of trial
with the comfort that we receive from [him].”
Did you notice the connection
between our receiving comfort
and becoming equipped to comfort others?
Jehovah comforts us,
and as humans created in God’s image,
we are moved by his holy spirit
to share that comfort with others.
Therefore, Christians
are not divided into two groups
—those who give comfort
and those who receive it.
No, we all are obligated to give comfort
even though we ourselves
are in need of comfort.
How can we do this?
Consider the apostle Paul.
During his first imprisonment in Rome,
Paul expressed appreciation for many brothers
who became
“a source of great comfort” to him.
In Colossians chapter 4,
he mentioned some of them by name
—Aristarchus, Tychicus, and Mark.
We’ll hear more about these three men
in a later part of the broadcast.
Paul was grateful for the efforts
his brothers made to visit him
and to comfort him by their words
and practical assistance.
But for Paul, it wasn’t all about receiving.
He used his time while in prison
to build up those who came to see him
and to write letters of encouragement
to the congregations.
A sister in South Africa
by the name of Clodean
imitated Paul’s example
after she underwent major surgery.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic,
she couldn’t receive visitors.
But Clodean was determined
not to feel sorry for herself,
and she asked God to give her the strength
to comfort others.
Clodean contacted a woman
who had studied the Bible in the past.
The woman resumed her study
and attended meetings by videoconference.
Next, Clodean started a study
with the woman’s younger sister,
who gave her the names
of four other women who wanted to study.
By her determination to comfort others
while coping with her own illness,
Clodean started studies
with a total of 16 women.
At times, those who are distressed
and in need of comfort
may be reluctant to accept help.
For example,
after Moses related God’s promise
to deliver his people from Egyptian bondage,
the Israelites at first
“did not listen to Moses
because of their discouragement.”
Later they did pay attention.
Naomi, whose name means “My Pleasantness,”
was living in a foreign land
because of a famine in Israel.
She was widowed and was grieving
the death of her two sons.
When she was able to return to Israel,
the women of Bethlehem greeted her,
saying: “Is this Naomi?”
Feeling that Jehovah
was responsible for her bitterness,
she replied with the sorrowful words:
“Do not call me Naomi.
“Call me Mara,
for the Almighty
has made life very bitter for me.”
However, Naomi soon drew closer
to God’s people
and accepted loving help;
her bitterness was replaced with joy.
If you’re suffering,
try to resist the natural inclination
to withdraw and to avoid contact with others.
This will be a challenge,
but experience has shown
that making the effort to be with others
opens the door to receiving
the comfort Jehovah provides
through the compassionate words
and actions of our brothers and sisters.
The comfort Jehovah provides
when we endure tribulation
can train us to be more sensitive
to the needs of others.
And that’s the first step to giving comfort:
Be attentive and observant
to identify those in need of comfort.
In many cases, the need is obvious
—our brother met with an accident
or has lost his job
or a close friend
or a family member has died.
For some, the need may not be so obvious.
We may notice a change in behavior,
or their facial expression may tell us
that something is troubling them.
We don’t want to pry,
but we can kindly approach them
and gently draw them out.
They may need time before they feel
comfortable opening up about their feelings,
so we want to be patient.
The second step to giving comfort is:
Pray to determine what we can do.
There may be little or nothing we can do
to eliminate the cause of their distress.
For example, a longtime missionary
who lost his wife said:
“I don’t want to get over it.
I just want to learn to cope.”
The important thing for us to do is to apply
the words of Proverbs 3:27:
“Do not withhold good
from those to whom you should give it
if it is within your power to help.”
We may feel awkward
—not knowing what to say or do.
If so, reflect on the meaning
of the Greek word
often rendered “comfort” in the Bible.
It literally means “a calling to one’s side.”
In other words, take the third step:
Make yourself available.
Don’t feel that you have to give a speech.
Our brother or sister needs to know
that someone cares,
and our very presence can be comforting.
It could be that he just wants
someone to talk to.
If so, be a good listener.
If you read scriptures together,
emphasize that the words reflect
how Jehovah feels about his suffering.
It’s not so much what you say or do;
what counts
is that you acknowledge his suffering
and show heartfelt compassion.
For example,
a sister serving at world headquarters
lost her mother and father
during the pandemic.
After spending a long day of hospice
with her mother,
she returned home to discover
a huge fruit basket
delivered by her fellow workers at Bethel.
She commented,
“It wasn’t the fruit itself,
which I had eaten many times before,
“or the way it was so beautifully decorated,
“but it was the thoughtfulness and love
behind the gesture
“that made my heart swell
at one of the most
difficult times in my life.”
When a devastating earthquake and tsunami
struck eastern Japan in March 2011,
brothers in Japan and other countries
responded immediately.
Two and a half years later,
my wife and I made a personal visit
to several congregations in that area.
Brothers in Nepal had sent
messages of comfort to one congregation.
Brothers in another congregation showed us
a board with many similar notes
written in languages of the Philippines.
Brothers commented,
“We can’t read the notes,
but we know what they say.”
What great comfort those short messages
brought to our Japanese brothers!
While we were there,
Super Typhoon Haiyan
was ravaging the Philippine Islands.
Referring to the typhoon,
the Japanese brothers said,
“Now it’s our turn to comfort our brothers
in the Philippines.”
As this world sinks ever deeper
into these critical last days,
our need for comfort will only increase.
How grateful we are that Jehovah
is “the Father of tender mercies”
and “the God of all comfort”!
He has generously given us
the gift of prayer,
abundant words of comfort in the Bible,
and a compassionate worldwide brotherhood.
As we benefit from these loving provisions,
may we be alert to recognize others
who need comfort,
determine what practical help we can offer,
and take steps to comfort others
while we cope during these critical times.

James Mantz: Comforting While Coping During These “Critical Times”
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James Mantz: Comforting While Coping During These “Critical Times”

Our theme scripture
is 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4:
“Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“the Father of tender mercies
and the God of all comfort,
“who comforts us in all our trials
“so that we may be able to comfort others
in any sort of trial with the comfort
that we receive from God.”
From the time we were born,
all of us have been in need of comfort.
You don’t remember the first time you cried
because you were hungry,
uncomfortable, or needing to be held.
But you probably do remember
the last time you needed comfort,
and no doubt many of us
are in need of comfort right now.
This is understandable.
Psalm 90:10 poetically describes
our life as imperfect humans by stating:
“The span of our life is 70 years,
“or 80 if one is especially strong.
“But they are filled with trouble and sorrow;
they quickly pass by, and away we fly.”
Many different situations
can cause us trouble and sorrow,
disappointment, or pain.
Some of them are what we might call common
because every imperfect human
has to deal with them
—getting sick, growing old,
and grieving the death of a loved one.
Other reasons for distress
could be called circumstantial
—accidents, economic problems,
the breakup of a marriage, natural disasters,
becoming a victim of abuse or other crimes,
civil unrest, and war.
In addition, we may need comfort
related to our worship
—living in a divided household,
experiencing persecution or imprisonment,
facing ridicule
in school or at the workplace.
Or perhaps a family member
or a close friend leaves Jehovah.
Repentant wrongdoers also need comfort 
when they return to the congregation.
Whether the cause of our distress
is common, circumstantial,
or because of our worship,
all of us are in need of comfort.
And the problem is worldwide.
First Peter 5:9 tells us
that “the same kind of sufferings
are being experienced
by the entire association of your brothers
in the world.”
However, we can find comfort
from the One
who is revealed in verses 6 and 7,
where it directs:
“Humble yourselves, therefore,
under the mighty hand of God,
“so that he may exalt you in due time,
“while you throw all your anxiety on him,
because he cares for you.”
Jehovah has always been
the ultimate Source of true comfort.
Moses was convinced that Jehovah
would support and comfort him
no matter what situation he faced.
With confidence,
he wrote what we find at Deuteronomy 33:27:
“God is a refuge from ancient times,
his everlasting arms are beneath you.”
When we’re down and struggling to get up,
Jehovah will put his arms beneath us,
gently lift us up,
and help us to get back on our feet.
The Psalms repeatedly express appreciation
for Jehovah’s tender care and comfort.
For example, the writer of Psalm 94:19
voiced his gratitude to Jehovah by saying:
“When anxieties overwhelmed me,
you comforted and soothed me.”
As Romans 15:4 confirms:
“All the things that were written beforehand
were written for our instruction,
“so that through our endurance
“and through the comfort from the Scriptures
we might have hope.”
No matter what’s causing us distress,
we can find scriptures that bring us comfort.
The book <i>Scriptures for Christian Living </i>
includes the heading “Comfort,”
which discusses many causes
of discouragement.
Not only does it direct us to scriptures
that confirm Jehovah’s loving care
but it also gives
examples of Bible characters
who suffered these hardships
and how Jehovah helped them.
One of the best ways
to receive comfort from Jehovah
is to ask him for it.
In the words of Psalm 145,
King David praised Jehovah
for the way He answers prayers.
Let’s read verses 18 and 19.
David wrote:
“Jehovah is near to all those calling on him,
“to all who call on him in truth.
“He satisfies the desire
of those who fear him;
he hears their cry for help,
and he rescues them.”
Just as a loving parent
patiently responds
to his child’s tearful cries,
Jehovah turns his compassionate ear
to our pleas for help.
As described in 1 Samuel chapters 1 and 2,
the Israelite woman Hannah
was so distraught
and “extremely bitter”
over not having any children
that she couldn’t eat.
When she approached Jehovah
at the tabernacle, “she began to pray . . .
and to weep uncontrollably.”
Jehovah listened to and acted on
this humble woman’s prayer.
After that, Hannah “went on her way and ate,
and her face was no longer downcast.”
Similarly, Jehovah will comfort us
when we pour out our concerns
in heartfelt prayer.
In view of all that the Bible
has to say about comfort,
we’re not surprised when we read the words
of 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.
Please open to this theme text
for our discussion.
As we read it again,
reflect on how these words
can help us to comfort others
while we ourselves
cope with the stressful conditions
of these critical times.
Second Corinthians 1:3, 4 reads:
“Praised be the God and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ,
“the Father of tender mercies
“and the God of all comfort,
“who comforts us in all our trials
“so that we may be able to comfort others
“in any sort of trial with the comfort
that we receive from God.”
The expression “tender mercies”
comes from a word that’s used
to convey sorrow at the suffering of another.
It describes Jehovah’s tender feelings
for his faithful servants
who are in distress.
Paul goes on to say
that Jehovah is “the God of all comfort.”
So all comfort originates with Jehovah.
Verse 4 identifies a special way
that Jehovah gives comfort,
and that’s through our brothers and sisters.
Let’s read it again.
It says that Jehovah “comforts us
“in all our trials
“so that we may be able to comfort others
“in any sort of trial
with the comfort that we receive from [him].”
Did you notice the connection
between our receiving comfort
and becoming equipped to comfort others?
Jehovah comforts us,
and as humans created in God’s image,
we are moved by his holy spirit
to share that comfort with others.
Therefore, Christians
are not divided into two groups
—those who give comfort
and those who receive it.
No, we all are obligated to give comfort
even though we ourselves
are in need of comfort.
How can we do this?
Consider the apostle Paul.
During his first imprisonment in Rome,
Paul expressed appreciation for many brothers
who became
“a source of great comfort” to him.
In Colossians chapter 4,
he mentioned some of them by name
—Aristarchus, Tychicus, and Mark.
We’ll hear more about these three men
in a later part of the broadcast.
Paul was grateful for the efforts
his brothers made to visit him
and to comfort him by their words
and practical assistance.
But for Paul, it wasn’t all about receiving.
He used his time while in prison
to build up those who came to see him
and to write letters of encouragement
to the congregations.
A sister in South Africa
by the name of Clodean
imitated Paul’s example
after she underwent major surgery.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic,
she couldn’t receive visitors.
But Clodean was determined
not to feel sorry for herself,
and she asked God to give her the strength
to comfort others.
Clodean contacted a woman
who had studied the Bible in the past.
The woman resumed her study
and attended meetings by videoconference.
Next, Clodean started a study
with the woman’s younger sister,
who gave her the names
of four other women who wanted to study.
By her determination to comfort others
while coping with her own illness,
Clodean started studies
with a total of 16 women.
At times, those who are distressed
and in need of comfort
may be reluctant to accept help.
For example,
after Moses related God’s promise
to deliver his people from Egyptian bondage,
the Israelites at first
“did not listen to Moses
because of their discouragement.”
Later they did pay attention.
Naomi, whose name means “My Pleasantness,”
was living in a foreign land
because of a famine in Israel.
She was widowed and was grieving
the death of her two sons.
When she was able to return to Israel,
the women of Bethlehem greeted her,
saying: “Is this Naomi?”
Feeling that Jehovah
was responsible for her bitterness,
she replied with the sorrowful words:
“Do not call me Naomi.
“Call me Mara,
for the Almighty
has made life very bitter for me.”
However, Naomi soon drew closer
to God’s people
and accepted loving help;
her bitterness was replaced with joy.
If you’re suffering,
try to resist the natural inclination
to withdraw and to avoid contact with others.
This will be a challenge,
but experience has shown
that making the effort to be with others
opens the door to receiving
the comfort Jehovah provides
through the compassionate words
and actions of our brothers and sisters.
The comfort Jehovah provides
when we endure tribulation
can train us to be more sensitive
to the needs of others.
And that’s the first step to giving comfort:
Be attentive and observant
to identify those in need of comfort.
In many cases, the need is obvious
—our brother met with an accident
or has lost his job
or a close friend
or a family member has died.
For some, the need may not be so obvious.
We may notice a change in behavior,
or their facial expression may tell us
that something is troubling them.
We don’t want to pry,
but we can kindly approach them
and gently draw them out.
They may need time before they feel
comfortable opening up about their feelings,
so we want to be patient.
The second step to giving comfort is:
Pray to determine what we can do.
There may be little or nothing we can do
to eliminate the cause of their distress.
For example, a longtime missionary
who lost his wife said:
“I don’t want to get over it.
I just want to learn to cope.”
The important thing for us to do is to apply
the words of Proverbs 3:27:
“Do not withhold good
from those to whom you should give it
if it is within your power to help.”
We may feel awkward
—not knowing what to say or do.
If so, reflect on the meaning
of the Greek word
often rendered “comfort” in the Bible.
It literally means “a calling to one’s side.”
In other words, take the third step:
Make yourself available.
Don’t feel that you have to give a speech.
Our brother or sister needs to know
that someone cares,
and our very presence can be comforting.
It could be that he just wants
someone to talk to.
If so, be a good listener.
If you read scriptures together,
emphasize that the words reflect
how Jehovah feels about his suffering.
It’s not so much what you say or do;
what counts
is that you acknowledge his suffering
and show heartfelt compassion.
For example,
a sister serving at world headquarters
lost her mother and father
during the pandemic.
After spending a long day of hospice
with her mother,
she returned home to discover
a huge fruit basket
delivered by her fellow workers at Bethel.
She commented,
“It wasn’t the fruit itself,
which I had eaten many times before,
“or the way it was so beautifully decorated,
“but it was the thoughtfulness and love
behind the gesture
“that made my heart swell
at one of the most
difficult times in my life.”
When a devastating earthquake and tsunami
struck eastern Japan in March 2011,
brothers in Japan and other countries
responded immediately.
Two and a half years later,
my wife and I made a personal visit
to several congregations in that area.
Brothers in Nepal had sent
messages of comfort to one congregation.
Brothers in another congregation showed us
a board with many similar notes
written in languages of the Philippines.
Brothers commented,
“We can’t read the notes,
but we know what they say.”
What great comfort those short messages
brought to our Japanese brothers!
While we were there,
Super Typhoon Haiyan
was ravaging the Philippine Islands.
Referring to the typhoon,
the Japanese brothers said,
“Now it’s our turn to comfort our brothers
in the Philippines.”
As this world sinks ever deeper
into these critical last days,
our need for comfort will only increase.
How grateful we are that Jehovah
is “the Father of tender mercies”
and “the God of all comfort”!
He has generously given us
the gift of prayer,
abundant words of comfort in the Bible,
and a compassionate worldwide brotherhood.
As we benefit from these loving provisions,
may we be alert to recognize others
who need comfort,
determine what practical help we can offer,
and take steps to comfort others
while we cope during these critical times.


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