Consider the case of a newly married Christian elder named Alex, who unexpectedly lost his wife in death because she had an incurable illness. One empathetic traveling overseer made a point of sharing words of consolation with Alex. He too had lost his wife in death but had since remarried. The traveling overseer described how his own fragile emotions had overwhelmed him. He felt fine when he was with others in the ministry and at congregation meetings. When he entered his room and closed the door, however, he felt very lonely. “What a relief to know that the feelings I was experiencing were normal and had been experienced by others,” says Alex. Certainly, “a word at its right time” can prove to be a comforting support during distress.​—Prov. 15:23.

Another Christian elder, acquainted with several individuals who had lost their mates in death, was motivated to share some encouraging words with Alex. With fellow feeling, he lovingly pointed out that Jehovah knows how we feel and what we need. “If in the months and years to come, a companion becomes a need,” said the brother, “Jehovah’s loving provision now is remarriage.” Of course, not all who lose a mate in death and subsequently desire to remarry are in a position to get married again. But reflecting on the brother’s words, Alex said, “To be reminded that this is Jehovah’s provision relieves you of any negative thoughts that you would be disloyal to your mate or to Jehovah’s marital arrangement by remarrying in the future.”​—1 Cor. 7:8, 9, 39.

Alex admitted: “When you lose your mate, your mind is flooded with negative thoughts.” He recalls asking himself: “‘Could I have done anything different? Could I have been more considerate and understanding?’ I didn’t want to be alone. I didn’t want to be single. It is very hard to stop this thought pattern because every day you are reminded that you are alone.”

Alex speaks from personal experience when he says, “If we do our part to keep up with all that Jehovah God provides for us to keep us strong spiritually, we will have ‘power beyond what is normal’ to endure any trial we may face.”​—2 Cor. 4:7.