From their latest October 2025 edition ,Study Article 40, paragraph 12:
"What if we start to wonder whether our problems are proof that we have lost Jehovah’s approval? It may help to think of other faithful servants of Jehovah who faced very difficult situations. Consider the example of the apostle Paul. He was chosen by Jesus himself to bring the truth “to the nations as well as to kings and the sons of Israel.” (Acts 9:15) What a privilege! Yet, Paul’s life was far from trouble free. (2 Cor. 11:23-27) Did the seemingly endless troubles Paul faced mean that he had lost Jehovah’s approval? Of course not! On the contrary, his endurance showed that he had Jehovah’s blessing. (Rom. 5:3-5) Now think about your situation. You are enduring faithfully despite all the trials you are facing. So you too can be sure that you have Jehovah’s approval"
Oh, look, another Watchtower paragraph designed to soothe the weary souls of the faithful with the intellectual depth of a kiddie pool. The message? If you’re drowning in life’s problems, don’t worry—you haven’t lost Jehovah’s approval. Just gaze upon the apostle Paul, the poster child of suffering, and feel instantly better! Let’s unpack this masterpiece of oversimplification.
First, the paragraph assumes you’re fretting over whether your flat tire or sick kid means Jehovah’s turned his back on you. How relatable, right? Never mind that real people might be grappling with existential crises, mental health struggles, or doubts about the organization itself. No, the Watchtower’s got you covered with a one-size-fits-all answer: Paul had it rough, so you’re fine! They toss in Acts 9:15 to remind you Paul was handpicked by Jesus himself—because nothing says “you’re doing great” like comparing your life to a guy who got shipwrecked and beaten for a living.
The scriptures (2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Romans 5:3-5) are dutifully cited, as if quoting chapter and verse magically resolves your pain. Paul’s laundry list of miseries—imprisonments, floggings, near-death experiences—is supposed to make your struggles feel like a walk in the park. Because who hasn’t thought, “Well, at least I’m not stoned today!” when the bills pile up? The Watchtower’s logic is airtight: Paul suffered, Paul was blessed, so your suffering must mean you’re blessed too. Case closed! Never mind the pesky details of how to actually cope with said suffering—prayer, therapy, or a good cry need not apply.
And then there’s the patronizing pat on the head: “You are enduring faithfully despite all the trials you are facing.” Oh, are we? Thanks for assuming we’re all steadfast soldiers in Jehovah’s army, never wavering, never questioning. What about those who feel crushed, not faithful? Those who wonder if the Watchtower’s rigid rules contribute to their hardships? Nah, the paragraph skips over that messy reality, jumping straight to “you too can be sure that you have Jehovah’s approval.” Because nothing screams divine love like a pep talk that ignores your actual feelings.
The structure? Predictable as a Kingdom Hall meeting. Pose a hypothetical worry, cite Paul, quote scriptures, and wrap it up with a cheery “you’re good!” No nuance, no acknowledgment of diverse struggles, just a cookie-cutter sermon. The tone’s so upbeat it’s almost insulting—like telling someone with a broken leg to “just keep running, you’ve got this!” And the reliance on Paul’s extreme trials? Brilliant. Nothing connects with the average reader like a first-century missionary’s near-death escapades.
In true Watchtower fashion, the paragraph dodges complexity like it’s a disfellowshipping offense. Doubt? Grief? Systemic issues within the organization? Pfft, just endure like Paul, and Jehovah’s got your back. No need to question the leadership or, heaven forbid, think critically about why life feels so hard under their watchful gaze. This is classic Watchtower: boil down human suffering to a bumper-sticker slogan, slap on some scriptures, and call it profound. If only real life were as simple as their glossy pages make it seem.