Jehovah's Witnesses, how do you manage your busy life? (serious responses only please)?

Question

I know this might not be the best place to get answers from actual JW's, but I'm hoping some of you will read this question. I'm so busy and stressed that I'm thinking about seeing a doctor for some type of medication. I go to school full time, I have a job, I go to the meetings three days a week, try to go in field service at least once a week and there's a sister studying with me 1 day a week. Not to mention I do have a home and husband. I've been a part of the organization my entire life, but I've never been this stressed out until recently after I got married and moved to another congregation. My old congregation wasnt this demanding. I feel like other people are constantly making plans and volunteering me to do things at times when I can't come because I work retail so I'm not off on weekends and then they seem to try to pressure me to squeeze it in anyway. I'm getting to where it's feeling so demanding that I really don't want to go at all. Any suggestions?

Also, want to add, I know some people will tell me to cut down or cut out school, but I don't want to cut down because I only have about 6 months left before I finish my degree. But a big part of the stress also comes from the fact that people forget that when you're in school you have homework to do. So, all time at home is not just relax time.

Just to add, for those that say I should make a set schedule, I would love to. But when you work retail, your schedule changes every week. So, I can't set a specific schedule. I'm trying to find another job where I will have a set schedule. Hopefully that will help.

Answer 1

As hard as it may be, it is important that we as humans recognize our limitations.

I know it is hard to say "no" when someone asks you to do something, especially if you are a "yes" person, always saying "yes" to everything. However, if you are maxed out and you are feeling stressed, then are you being a "cheerful giver"? There are times when we just have to say, "Sorry, I can't do it." This is evidence of modesty on our part. (Micah 6:8)
Make your situation a matter of prayer, and don't be afraid to take care of yourself. Before we can help others, we need to make sure we help ourselves, after all, we are our closest neighbor. :0)

Answer 2

I would never tell you to cut out school I found out the hard way many years ago there could be a time when you have to work. I was married young and in the truth. My husband got sick and couldn't work and I had two children. So had to go to work in retail also and it is so hard to live on min. wage.
When he got better I went to VOTECH and got a better job.
Which sense he had this illness again I was so glad I did.
You cannot let others dictate how you live your life. They think they know your stress level but they don't. Remember the study article Sunday? Jehovah doesn't demand more from us than we can do. But sometimes we think he does and get stressed we can't measure up. When my husband was working I quit and got more time in service. When he was sick I knew I could keep us going if I had to.
It was rough being young and trying to be all things to everyone. Taking care of ageing sisters and congregation responsibilities. Cleaning and helping.
Then when the kids were grown and we got old and retired we moved to where the need was great. From California and friends and family to a very rural community in Oklahoma where we are the only witnesses. For several towns.
One elderly sister was old here several towns over and we pick her up and take her the 30 miles one way to a meeting.
Where the congregation had 32 people there sunday.
We sold our home and purchased a mobile home. So had to give a lot of stuff away. Life is a series of changes, honey.
Just take it one day at a time. Then I fell on the ice and broke my leg in 6 places. virtually crushed it. I had surgury and plates and screws put in to save the leg. I felt useless, my son recommended a computer. That helped me so much.
also a pioneer sister my buddy, helped me to see that do what you can. She had to leave the pioneer work because of diabetes and she lost both legs from the knee down.
So now we do what we can. You have to be content with that.
Jehovah understands we are just people. Just do what I did.
I made sure I studied the watchtower every week, even though from a hospital bed I was unable to attend.
In fact I studied every article. Don't let others make plans for you. Just say NO.

Answer 3

I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses. (1) ???no meal??? I eat EVERYDAY (2) I exchange gifts on a regular basis (3) It seems as if from your question that you only find reason to be joyful and celebrate on Christmas, birthdays, and holidays. How SAD! (4) Jehovah's Witnesses believe in the bible. (5) "Against being happy and so serious". You haven't met ME

Answer 4

I know what you mean about never having time to do much - especially when you are in school. You could always take the time to write a letter for service if you don't have the time to go out! And I'm sure the people in the congregation aren't trying to give you a big load, they are probably trying to go out of they're way to make you feel wanted and needed. in a new place and that they appreciate you. Some people feel very out of place when they first move to a new congregation.

There is a person at our hall that just asked to step down from being a ministerial servent because he is tied up daily with taking care of his mom and the brothers supported him in his decision! just talk to the elders and let them know! They are there to help you!

Answer 5

I have been a JW all of my life and not until recently ahve I taken matter into my own hands. I seperated a while and I recently amde my decision to stand by Jehovah no matter what. I got baptized in the last district assembly and am soon to do the precursorado [sorry, don't know how to say it in english]. I got to the three meetingsevery week, go out on service sat., sun. and tues. and still manage to turn in an avarage of 15 hours a month. I go to highschool, study for school and meetings and i still ahve time to go out every friday. so as you can see, if you are able to schedule out your days, you eventually get the hang of it. Trust me, it was NOT easy. A lot of prayer and faith in Jehovah will help. Whatever you do, DO NOT seperate yourself from Jehovah. If anything, stay close with the people from your congregation. Remember to sort your priorities, You, your family, Jehovah.

Answer 6

It does sound like you are spreading yourself rather thin. Of course, you don't want to quit school, but at the same time you want to put spiritual things first.

If it's just a point of "extra" things going on, I would just learn to say no. Let them know that right now with your schedule, it is hard enough to make the meetings and service. You appreciate being included, but you can't always be available with all your responsibility. Once your finished with school, you will have more free time to help out. No one will be offended.

You also what to keep yourself healthy, try not to get run down or everything will seem like a chore.

"Throw you burden on Jehovah and he himself will sustain you." Ps. 55:22

Keep up the good work. Agape Your Sis!

Answer 7

WOW, Fluffy where can you get better encouragement than these comments above me by your own kind. And Vot Ana expressed that no one will tell U to quit your school and I have to agree with him. A bunch of years ago some would but progress is always good in our lives so today we all realize later in life what we do will have an effect on how we are able to function later at least materally,if I can use the example of the man who planned well in advance his storehouse,so that he was able to finish it . By the way my daughter buldozed her way through a course after a divorce and is surviving along with her meeting and other schedules.Agape

Answer 8

first place, don't listen to unsilence lamb. she is going around slandering Jehovah Witnesses. pray to Jehovah to help you. sometimes we need to say no ( I know that is hard to do). that you have other things to do. yes we have to put Jehovah first in our lives. but he does not want us to get sick either, because we have families to take care of. I am now a widow after I was married 35 years, my late husband was a brother also. I am taking care of a mentally handicapped daughter 29 and a son 26 with a mild c.p. you should make a schedule and stay with that. our studying is no more that an hour or so, yes our meetings and field service also come first. but volunteering we sometimes need to say no, I cannot do it unless you have time for that. I have a very dear friend who this year, he a triple bypass without blood and he is doing great. so you don't need blood. agnostic boy.

Answer 9

Try to cut back on hours when you are working retail for example ask to work every other weekend or ask them to give you one Saturday or Sunday off twice a month. Also Pray to Jehovah for spiritual guidance and help from all the Sisters and Brothers. I'm sure they will help you. P.S. don't stop going to the meetings and keep studying the Bible. The more you go to the meetings the more spiritual you'll be. I seriously hope you don't give up going to the Meetings or your study. Please ask for help. Tell them that you need a Sister to go with you when they volunteer you. You can also politely tell them that you can't do the things that they need you to do and when you do those things you can also ask a Sister or Brother to come along with you and help. I'm sure they can accommodate you around your schedule.


****Edit******
Unsilenced Lamb is an Apostate!!!!!!!!!

Agnostic Boy you need to learn the Bible and Jehovah

http://watchtower.org

Answer 10

TRUST IN JEHOVAH. It is difficult to balance everything. I am in school, I work part time, and I go to the meetings. I'm tired on a regular basis, but going to the meetings and being with the friends is the best kind of medicine there is. Pray to Jehovah and he will help you.