The New Personality


 Ever since becoming a baptized witness of Jehovah, putting on the new personality has been something I struggled with for the past 15 years. I was baptized on December 11, 2010. We live in this world where even for someone who doesn't serve Jehovah God has a hard time starting new habits. Satan puts so many obstacles in the way that we may catch ourselves falling or failing to do so. However, we have great examples of the faithful men of old, such as Peter. We know that he personally struggled to make the necessary changes, but he never gave up. In fact, it is one of his most admirable qualities, as even Jehovah had penned in His Word, the Bible. So don't feel disheartened when you slip back into old habits. We are admonished in Galatians 6:9, NWT, "So let us not give up in doing what is fine, for in due time we will reap if we do not tire out." What I like about that verse is that it doesn't say 'stop trying' or 'if you find yourself slipping back into old habits, it's okay to stop.' Rather, it says not to give up, and in a sense, to keep trying; we will reap.

Old habits can be like a knee-jerk reaction. We can be triggered by the way something smells, what we hear, things we see and touch, and even by what people may say. However, Jehovah does not give up on us, and He remembers we are dust. (Psalm 103:14, NWT) I know for myself, my weaknesses and old habits are harder, especially when dealing with my mental health issues. I have unwanted mood swings, which are very embarrassing, but I have reigned them in adequately and just let them pass and not act on them. Just as an imperfect human, I failed to put on the new personality at times, and I pray for my shortcomings before Jehovah God through Jesus Christ. The best way to put on the new personality is not a mystery; however, we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ. It's more than a 'What Would Jesus Do?' bracelet. (If you're from my era of the 1990s in America, you have gotten that reference. People used to wear wristbands to remind them of "What Would Jesus Do?" However, it was more of a symbol than a reminder. Many people didn't care to think about it, but rather wear it.) Anyway, we have to keep that constant reminder at the forefront of our minds, even meditating on it. 

We can also pray for help from Jehovah's God, active force, Holy Spirit. We can pray fervently, and we can be persistent in our prayers for help. The same force that Jehovah used to create the earth we live on, we can pray and ask for help to put on the new personality. A Watchtower article from March 2022, pages 9-10 states, "Jehovah does not expect us to display the fruitage of the spirit perfectly now. In fact, our loving Father has set aside 1,000 years for those with an earthly hope to become perfect. What Jehovah requires of us now is to try our best and to rely on him for help." Keep fighting old habits and reactions by putting on the new personality. Until we meet again, next month, my fellow readers. 


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