While I was a Jehovah's Witness and growing up as a teenager, my mother would always tell me that I wasn't going to make it to the New System, the paradise earth that was supposed to be after this horrific Armageddon happened. I was told since I hadn't changed my personality enough that Jehovah God would allow me to die in this situation, never to be resurrected or heard from again. I was supposed to put on the Watchtower version of a new personality. If I didn't change enough, then I was to be destroyed in Armageddon.
For some reason, I never quite believed that the God I believed in was such a mean and horrible Being. I couldn't see why God had created me the way I am, but did not accept me the way I was born. How could that be? This God, that I had been told was a God of Love, was according to the Watchtower, really a vindictive god who just wanted to get even with everyone. The fear and phobia I had toward Armageddon was really irrational if He truly is a God of Love.
I've noticed that many Ex Jehovah's Witnesses have a great deal of trouble trying to reconcile themselves to the fact that God truly loves them. But it's a very difficult concept if you have been raised in an organization that teaches that God hates you if you sin and is always ready to kill you if you make even one mistake. That "walking on eggshells" feeling is not a good feeling to reckon with constantly.
This "walking on eggshells" concept is what drives many out of the Watchtower Organization. Perhaps they haven't found out about false doctrines, false prophecies, nor have they had any disagreements with the elders or anything like that. They may wholeheartedly believe that the Watchtower is the faithful and discreet slave, but they just can't measure up to what the Watchtower says that they should be doing. They feel there is something wrong with themselves, and not the Watchtower organization. Even disfellowshipped JW's feel it is their fault that they can't be a part of the Watchtower Organization and very often defend the Watchtower's actions against them. How many times have I run into former JW's who say, "I stopped going to meetings many years ago, but I still believe that the Watchtower is the only organization teaching the truth"
These same people, many times have led lives that are very self-destructive, since they feel that as in the above picture, are doomed to die in Armageddon. Their lives are without hope because they have the erroneous belief that the only truth is found in the Watchtower. So they muddle through life aimlessly, with no hope for the future or in themselves.
This is why it is so very important for the former Jehovah's Witness to find some kind of a support system of friends. Sometimes, finding another church to go to is just out of the question for many Ex JW's, but a support group of other Ex JW's might just be the answer for them. When one goes through life with the Watchtower language and thoughts, the only other people who can speak your language and totally understand where you are coming from are other former JW's! A support group should be a healthy environment where the facilitator knows how to effectively moderate the group and allows for healthy discussions between the members. It should be a safe, loving and warm environment to help the members make friends, and to help lead them to a better emotional state.
I facilitate a support group in Southeast Los Angeles County that meets on a monthly basis, usually the last Sunday of each month. Some of the members have been out of the Watchtower for many years, and some have been out for less than a year. This group has been quite successful and I have noticed that everyone gets along very, very well. This group is Christian based, since I am a Christian . I don't, however, try to push my beliefs on others who may not believe the same way that I do. That decision of attending another church is best made by the individual himself. If someone has a question about what I believe, I am glad that I now know the real truth about God and the Bible and can give a person a loving answer from the Bible.
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". (John 14:6) Jesus is the one who has the real truth, not the Watchtower! The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians; "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Eph 2:8,9)
So just remember, there is no need to be afraid of dying in Armageddon. God does love you and wants you to have a good life! Go get yourself a good education if you don't have one. Find a hobby, or a group of friends to hang out with, even if it's just some neighborhood friends to hang out with. I would hope that some of you find a good church to go to so that you can have a place to worship God if you choose to. Having a church to attend is also good for making friends as well. Sometimes the church atmosphere isn't for everyone, but try to visit some churches every now and then even if it is just for holidays.
There is no more need to fret about death, earthquakes, famines, along with doom and gloom. You have the rest of your life ahead of you, now make it a good one!
Song: "Bad Moon Rising", by Credence Clearwater Revival