10/12/2025
WATCHTOWER PREPARATION
STUDY “Article 40”
December 8-14, 2025,
SONG 111 Our Reasons for Joy
Jehovah Is Our “Exceeding Joy”
“I will come . . . to God, my exceeding joy.”—PS. 43:4.
FOCUS
To help us identify what may rob us of our joy and how we can recover our joy if we lose it.
1-2. (a) What situation do many face today?
Today, many people desperately seek happiness but cannot find it. They strive for money, pleasure, or recognition, yet still feel empty and sad. This is not surprising, because the Bible foretold that in the last days there would be critical times, difficult to endure.
Even Jehovah's servants may experience times of sadness or emotional exhaustion, but unlike the world, we know that true happiness does not depend on circumstances, but on our relationship with Jehovah.
Therefore, when we feel discouraged, the best thing to do is to strengthen that friendship with Him, remembering that the happy God wants to see us happy and gives us the power of His Spirit to achieve it.
1, 2. (b) What will we discuss in this article?
This article will help us understand two very important things. First, what factors can steal our joy? And second, how can we regain it with Jehovah’s help?
We will learn that there is no deeper joy than that which comes from knowing and serving God. We will see examples of brothers and sisters who faced difficulties, thwarted goals, or the danger of self-absorption, and how they were able to regain their spiritual joy.
We will also analyze how to follow the example of Jehovah and Jesus, who are the source and perfect model of true happiness.
WHO CAN GIVE US TRUE HAPPINESS
3. What does creation teach us about Jehovah? (See also pictures.)
Creation teaches us that Jehovah is a happy God and wants us to be happy too. Just look at nature: the colors, the flavors, the sounds, and even the joyful behavior of animals reflect his love and his desire to see us enjoy ourselves. These things are not accidental; they are expressions of the joy that Jehovah feels and shares with us.
When we appreciate his creative work, we strengthen our relationship with him and better understand that true happiness does not come from material things, but from recognizing and thanking Jehovah for all he has done for us. Observing creation can, in itself, be a daily source of joy and gratitude toward our heavenly Father.
ILLUSTRATION
Images of various animals playing: 1. A baby elephant splashing in the water. 2. Penguin chicks taking clumsy steps in the snow. 3. Two goat kids happily skipping in the field. 4. Two dolphins performing acrobatics above the water.
When we see animals playing, we are reminded that Jehovah is the happy God. (See paragraph 3.)
4. (a) Why does Jehovah feel happy despite all the suffering he sees in the world?
Jehovah is happy because he has a complete view of what is happening. Although he sees human suffering, he knows that it is temporary and will soon end. He himself has set a date for eliminating pain, wickedness, and sadness. This confidence in his perfect purpose allows him to maintain his joy intact.
Jehovah is not overcome by evil because he knows the end of the story. This attitude teaches us something very valuable: we too can maintain our joy if we keep our eyes on God's promises.
When we remember that suffering will not last forever, our hearts find comfort and hope, even in the midst of the toughest times.
4. b) What does Jehovah do for us? (Psalm 16:11).
Jehovah not only understands our suffering, but he also acts to help us. As Psalm 16:11 says, he guides us along the path of life and fills our hearts with joy. He does this through his holy spirit, his Word, and the support of the congregation.
It gives us comfort when we feel overwhelmed and strength when trials seem too heavy. Moreover, it offers us a firm hope: eternal life in a world without pain or tears.
When we think about all of that, we understand that Jehovah does not just observe our suffering, but actively gets involved to give us peace and happiness.
5, 6. Why is Jesus happy?
Jesus is the happiest person after Jehovah, and he is so for several reasons. First, because he knows his Father perfectly and reflects his qualities of love, justice, and wisdom.
Furthermore, his joy came from always doing God's will, and that gave him deep satisfaction. Jesus enjoyed seeing how people drew closer to Jehovah because of his teaching.
And although he suffered injustice and rejection, he never lost his peace or joy, because he knew he had his Father's approval. His example teaches us that true happiness does not depend on what happens to us, but on remaining faithful and in harmony with Jehovah's will each day.
7. What do we have to do to feel truly happy?
Doing his will also contributes to our joy, because we know we have his approval. Even when sadness or discouragement visits us, Jehovah never stops loving and valuing us.
Therefore, we must cultivate a constant relationship with Him through prayer, study, and service. This deep connection will allow us to maintain joy regardless of the problems or fleeting emotions we may experience.
DON'T LET ANYTHING STEAL YOUR JOY
8. How can life's problems affect us?
Life's problems can crush our spirits. As Proverbs 15:13 says, illness, family losses, financial difficulties, or old age can make us feel like there is no way out.
Even some faithful servants of Jehovah, such as Brother Babis mentioned in the paragraph, have gone through times when they felt alone or overwhelmed by circumstances.
These setbacks can affect not only our physical health but also our spiritual joy. However, feeling sadness does not mean that we have lost Jehovah’s approval. He understands our limitations and is willing to comfort us.
ADDITIONAL COMMENT
Problems can steal our joy, especially when we feel there is no solution. But Jehovah understands our pain and gives us strength to keep going. He never abandons those who love and trust in him.
9. What can we do to regain joy? (Jeremiah 29:4-7, 10).
We can regain joy by being realistic and grateful. Jehovah told the exiled Jews in Babylon to accept their situation and make the most of what good they still had. That advice applies to us too.
Sometimes we can't change our circumstances, but we can change our attitude. When we focus on the blessings we have, our hearts fill with gratitude. That gratitude gives us the strength to keep going.
Like Sister Efi, who, although she became paralyzed, decided to maintain a positive attitude and trust in Jehovah. Appreciating what we have and not what we lack is a powerful key to preserving joy.
10. Why can we maintain joy even when we have problems?
We can maintain joy even in the midst of problems because our happiness does not depend on circumstances, but on our relationship with Jehovah. He gives us firm reasons to have hope, such as his promise to eliminate suffering.
Therefore, even when we face difficulties, losses, or illnesses, we can maintain inner peace. As a pioneer named Maria said: “Remembering Jehovah’s promises helps us not to lose our joy,” even if we have to cry or express our feelings.
That joy is not feigned, but deep, because it comes from the holy spirit and from knowing that Jehovah never abandons us. Problems are temporary, like footprints in the sand that the sea washes away.
11. How does the example of the apostle Paul encourage you?
The example of the apostle Paul reminds us that problems do not mean that Jehovah has abandoned us. Although Paul faced enormous difficulties, he continued to serve faithfully because he knew that Jehovah was with him. Jesus himself had given him an important assignment, and Paul fulfilled it joyfully despite the trials.
He wrote that tribulations produce endurance, and endurance produces hope. This teaches us that when we remain faithful in trials, we show that Jehovah approves of our efforts.
So, if we are enduring in faith, we can be completely sure that Jehovah is pleased with us and has not withdrawn his love.
12. Why might unmet expectations steal our joy?
Unmet expectations can rob us of joy because they make us feel frustrated or worthless. Sometimes we set good spiritual goals, such as serving more, participating in theocratic projects, or attending schools, but circumstances change.
If those goals aren't realistic or achievable at the moment, we might become discouraged. That's what happened to Sister Holly, who felt sad because she couldn't accomplish what she wanted.
However, we must remember that Jehovah does not measure our worth by what we do, but by who we are: faithful and loyal. He knows our limitations and looks at our hearts. Adjusting our expectations and humbly accepting our circumstances helps us maintain joy and inner peace.
13. If our circumstances do not allow us to do as much as we would like, what goals are within our reach?
Even when our circumstances limit what we can do, we still have many valuable goals within reach. Jehovah does not expect more than we can give. What he truly values are our inner qualities: modesty, faithfulness, and love.
Instead of getting frustrated by what we cannot do, we can concentrate on what is within our control: encouraging a brother, supporting the elderly, strengthening the faith of young people, or comforting those who are suffering.
These actions may seem small, but they are very significant in Jehovah's eyes. As Sister Holly said, we can set aside some goals for the new world, knowing that Jehovah will enable us to accomplish them. In the meantime, the important thing is to continue serving him with joy and gratitude.
14. What else can steal our joy?
Another thief of joy is focusing too much on ourselves and our desires. The world bombards us with the idea that happiness depends on travel, shopping, or hobbies, but that kind of joy is superficial and fleeting. As a pioneer named Eve explained, when you focus only on yourself, you never have enough.
True happiness is not found in material things, but in cultivating a relationship with Jehovah and doing things for others. Enjoying what we like is not wrong, as long as it doesn't become the center of our lives. When we dedicate time and energy to serving and helping, we discover a deeper and more lasting joy.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Focusing only on ourselves and what we want can rob us of joy. On the other hand, when we think about Jehovah and how to help others, we experience a true happiness that the world cannot give.
15. What does what happened to King Solomon teach us?
King Solomon's experience teaches us that seeking happiness in personal pleasures is a dead end. He tried everything: luxuries, parties, good food, music, grand buildings, but in the end, he felt empty.
He discovered that pleasures do not fill the heart, because “the eye is not satisfied with what it sees, nor the ear with what it hears.” That lesson remains relevant today. What the world offers seems attractive, but it has no lasting value, like counterfeit money.
Only Jehovah can fill the inner void. When we center our lives on him, we find true joy, which does not depend on having more, but on giving greater spiritual meaning to everything we do.
16. Why will we be happy if we do things for others? (See also the images).
We will be happy if we do things for others, because by giving we imitate Jehovah and follow Jesus’ principle: “There is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving.” Brother Alekos expressed it well when he said that the more he thinks about others, the less he focuses on himself, and that makes him happy.
Helping doesn't always require grand gestures. Sometimes simply listening, encouraging, or accompanying someone who is suffering is enough. We can also invite them to preach, prepare a meal, or simply offer companionship. These actions demonstrate empathy and Christian love.
When we serve wholeheartedly, Jehovah uses us as instruments to relieve the pain of others, and, in that process, we ourselves find genuine and deep joy.
ILLUSTRATION
Series of images: 1. A sister sitting in a cafe with several shopping bags around her, looking at her phone. 2. A sister visits an older sister at her home and, with a smile, gives her a bouquet of flowers.
Instead of focusing on your own desires, do things for others. (See paragraph 16.)
17. If we want to feel truly happy, what should we do? (Psalm 43:4).
To truly feel happy, we must draw ever closer to Jehovah, “our ultimate joy.” No other source will give us the satisfaction that comes from his love and approval. When we put him at the center of our lives, our problems become more bearable and our hope stronger. Jehovah does not change, and his joy is eternal.
So, if we cling to him through prayer, study, and obedience, we will have a happiness that cannot be compared to that of the world. As Psalm 144:15 says, “Happy is the people whose God is Jehovah.” That happiness will last forever because it comes from the Creator himself, who desires to share his joy with all his faithful servants.
WHAT WOULD YOU ANSWER?
Why are Jehovah and Jesus happy?
Jehovah and Jesus are happy because they always do good and act in harmony with love. Jehovah is happy when he sees his purpose fulfilled and when he makes others happy. Jesus, as his perfect image, finds joy in doing his Father's will and reflecting his qualities.
What three “thieves” can steal our joy?
The three thieves of joy are life's problems, unmet expectations, and focusing only on ourselves. Each one can affect our joy if we do not rely on Jehovah and his holy spirit.
What can we do to regain joy?
We can regain it by drawing closer to Jehovah, being realistic and grateful, adjusting our goals, and helping others. By putting Jehovah and his service first, he restores to us the peace and joy that the world cannot give us.
