Arthur had for many years led a busy, active life. Then, because of a serious illness, he had to discontinue secular work and restrict all activity outside the home. For many months Arthur felt useless and depressed. How did he handle these feelings? “I stopped dwelling on what I could no longer do. Instead, I focused on what I could do to help other people improve themselves and to encourage them when they were depressed. Being restricted to my home, I use the telephone a lot. As I became busy helping and encouraging others, I had little time to feel sorry for myself.”

Mary has had severe medical problems for 32 years. Confined to a wheelchair, she leaves home only for doctor appointments. How does Mary keep from being overwhelmed with discouragement? She explains: “My husband has been most supportive. Also, I frequently read upbuilding material. I call my friends regularly, and often take the initiative to invite them to my home. I enjoy their visits and do not use those occasions to complain or indulge in self-​pity. I do not spend time dwelling on the negative things in my life because I have so many positive things going for me.”

Rose Marie has had five major operations over the years, and she and her husband have had seven deaths in their families in a recent period of a year and a half. Certainly, the weight of this caused negative emotions. However, they do not dwell on those things. Being Jehovah’s Witnesses, they are sustained by the positive and comforting hope that the Bible gives of a righteous new world near at hand where God “will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be anymore.”