SA24 - You Can Reach Your Spiritual Goals

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Mia's journey was a path fraught with challenges. She recognized that a goal demanded not only a vision but also a plan. She meticulously outlined short-range, medium-range, and long-range objectives. To refine her skills, she enrolled in foreign language classes, delving into the intricacies of both linguistic and cultural norms. Simultaneously, she quietly stowed away every spare dollar she encountered in a carefully handcrafted wooden box, these funds destined to contribute to the realization of her goal.

As days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, Mia encountered her fair share of setbacks. Some days, comprehending the details involved with the new language proved more difficult than anticipated. And during personal trials, she grappled with moments that seemed to question her abilities greatly. Yet, Mia clung to a timeless lesson from the Bible that her grandmother had shared: "For the righteous one may fall seven times, and he will get up again." (Proverbs 24:16) This wisdom gave her strength and guidance.

With her guiding principle etched in her heart, Mia pressed on. Setbacks were no longer stumbling blocks; rather, they became steppingstones to greater understanding. Each time she would fall, this drop became a catalyst for growth, a chance to rise anew. And as Mia journeyed towards her dream, she discovered that success was not counted in the absence of challenges, but in her ability to embrace the setbacks, viewing them as opportunities to forge an unyielding spirit.

On a fateful day, a setback unlike any other occurred. A fire consumed the modest apartment which she shared with her mother. Mia had transformed her room to mirror the new language she was learning, and this blaze devoured all of the cherished books, discs, posters, trinkets, cultural artifacts, and most importantly, her meticulously crafted wooden box. Mia felt her spirit crumble beneath the weight of this disaster, all their belongings had been destroyed. The fire chief's revelation that the fire originated in her room, sparked by a faulty wire from an ancient lamp, added to the devastation she felt because all their possessions held immense sentimental value. This tragedy seemed unfathomable, exacerbating the difficulties she was already facing. The dream of becoming a Kingdom Evangelizer, for which she had toiled relentlessly, seemed to have been incinerated—engulfed by the flames.

Defeated and disheartened, Mia retreated into herself, paralyzed in the face of her shattered aspirations. However, a tiny verse from the Bible echoed in her mind, reassuring her that problems and difficulties were a part of life, yet she could rise again, especially with Jehovah's help. "Jehovah supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down." (Psalm 145:14) Renewed by this promise, she jotted down the affirmation, 'setbacks are not synonymous with failure' and posted it in her wall. With this, she could always view the disaster as an opportunity for growth.

With a renewed flame of determination burning within her, Mia gathered herself and found solace in the embrace of her friends and family. They rallied around her, showering her with words of encouragement, something more powerful than anything that could be salvaged from the ruins. Her close friend, Cecilia, offered a unique perspective, saying, "You know, this fire might have been a blessing in disguise. Once your application for SKE gets accepted, you wouldn't have been able to bring any of those possessions with you." Amid the laughter they shared, a profound truth resonated. Mia realized that losing these possessions might have been a blessing, removing any potential barriers to the wholehearted pursuit of her goal.

Armed with their unshakable faith in her and a newfound sense of resilience, Mia would occasionally feel a pang of sorrow for the loss of her material possessions. Nevertheless, she swiftly chose to regard these setbacks as mere bad days on her journey. She reminded herself that success wasn't measured by the number of times she fell, but by her determination to rise again. With a revitalized determination, she wasn't paralyzed by the setback, but instead she used them as fuel to reach greater heights.

Exactly one year after the fire, Mia's application was approved. The setbacks she had encountered were now permanently woven into the fabric of her success story. As she stood before the other applicants, recounting her journey and all that she had overcome to reach this point, their expressions reflected a profound admiration. Mia's unwavering spirit left an indelible mark on those who heard her account.

Mia's journey comprised several deliberate steps that guided her towards her goals.

Firstly, she identified her objectives by compiling a list of potential goals and arranging them in order of priority. With this list in hand, she determined which goals to tackle first, second, third, and so on.

Secondly, she carefully planned each goal. For every objective, she adhered to the following guidelines:

• Establishing a realistic deadline to avoid taking on too much at once.
• Outlining the steps required with simplicity in mind.
• Anticipating potential obstacles and devising strategies to overcome them, bearing in mind that setbacks were an integral part of the process. 

Lastly, Mia took action without waiting for every detail to be systematically plotted out. She posed herself a crucial question: 'What is the initial step I can take to inch closer to my goal?' She promptly carried out that step, charting her progress as each task was accomplished. This progress served as a source of satisfaction, a dopamine rush.

In retrospect, Mia was well aware that her setbacks hadn't dictated the course of her journey; instead, they served to mold her into the robust, resilient individual she had blossomed into. She grasped the significance of setbacks not as barriers, but as avenues to emerge fortified, to adapt, and to endure.

Within the confines of her new congregation, Mia's narrative blossomed into a symbol of optimism for all who confronted setbacks along their own paths. She imparted a powerful lesson: even when adversity loomed, setbacks were not equivalent to defeat. With faith, humility, and the conviction that setbacks were simply events that helped her make progress towards her goal, Mia transformed her vision into reality. Her journey reminded everyone that with every stumble, an opportunity to rise once more emerged, shining an even more brilliant light.

Do you have a comment that did not get mentioned during the Watchtower study? What encouraging observations would you like to point out? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.