DAILY TEXT, Monday, August 11, 2025, Let everyone know that you are reasonable people (Phil. 4:5).

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Monday, August 11, 2025

Let everyone know that you are reasonable people (Phil. 4:5).

Jesus is reasonable like Jehovah, and this was evident during his ministry on earth. Although he had been sent to preach to “the lost sheep of the nation of Israel,” on one occasion he helped a non-Israelite woman. She begged him to heal her daughter, who was “cruelly possessed by a demon.” Jesus felt compassion and healed this woman’s daughter (Matt. 15:21–28). Consider another example. Sometime after beginning his ministry, Jesus said: “If anyone rejects me . . . I also will reject him” (Matt. 10:33). But did he reject Peter because he had denied knowing him three times? No. He knew that Peter was repentant and faithful. After his resurrection, Jesus appeared to Peter and most likely confirmed his forgiveness and love (Luke 24:33, 34). Jehovah and Jesus are reasonable. What about us? Jehovah expects us to be reasonable, too. w23.07 21 pars. 6, 7.

According to Philippians 4:5, What reputation do we want to earn?

We've already seen that Jehovah and Jesus are reasonable. What about us? Jehovah expects us to be reasonable too. (Read Philippians 4:5.) We can ask ourselves: “Do others think I am reasonable, tolerant, and willing to compromise? Or do I have a reputation for being inflexible, strict, or stubborn? Do I often insist on having things done the way I think they should be? Or do I like to listen to other opinions and compromise whenever possible?” The more reasonable we are, the more we will be like Jehovah and Jesus. Now let's talk about two areas of life where it is very important to be reasonable: when our circumstances change and when the opinions and decisions of others do not agree with our own.

What can help us be reasonable when our circumstances change? (See also the note.)

When our circumstances change, we need to be reasonable and flexible. We may face a serious health problem or an economic or political crisis overnight. These sudden changes can turn our lives upside down and cause difficulties we did not expect. (Eccl. 9:11; 1 Cor. 7:31) Even a change of assignment within Jehovah’s organization can test us. Either way, we can adapt to new circumstances by following these four guidelines: 1) accept reality, 2) look to the future, 3) focus on the positive, and 4) do things for others.b Let’s look at some real-life examples that show that these guidelines work.

What did a missionary couple do to face unexpected difficulties?

Accepting reality. Emanuele and Francesca are missionaries, and were sent abroad. Upon arriving, they began learning the language and getting to know the brothers in their new congregation. But then the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and they were no longer able to join the brothers. Francesca's mother also died suddenly. Francesca desperately wanted to be with her family, but due to the pandemic, she couldn't travel.

What helped her in this difficult situation? First, Emanuele and Francesca prayed together and asked Jehovah to give them wisdom to take one day at a time. Jehovah responded by giving them, through his organization, exactly what they needed at the right time. For example, they were greatly encouraged by what a brother said in a video: “The faster we accept new circumstances, the faster we become happy again, and the easier it is for us to take advantage of those new circumstances.”

Second, they resolved to become more skilled at preaching over the telephone, and even began a Bible course. And third, they accepted the encouragement and support the brothers gave them and were grateful for their love. For a year, a very empathetic sister sent them a short message with a Bible passage every day. What's the lesson? If we accept the new circumstances, we'll be content with what we can do.

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