the proof is in the prophecy

In today’s chaotic world, many people struggle to simplify their lives and find peace of mind. Can applying the Bible’s principles really lead to happiness and emotional security? If something is truly good, it should produce satisfying, lasting results. But is there real evidence that the Bible can help people make meaningful changes—regardless of their background or situation?

Yes, there is. Around the world, millions of people study the Bible seriously and apply its counsel in every part of their lives. These people—known as Jehovah’s Witnesses—have found that making the Bible their main guide leads to useful, fulfilling lives. Some were formerly religious, others were not. Some came from stable families, others from broken homes. Yet they all shared a deep desire for emotional security and a life that truly matters. God values anyone who seeks happiness, wants to do what is right, and desires to learn about him and serve him. The following experiences show how the Bible has helped people in real, practical ways.

Psychologist Witnesses Family Transformation

The Bible’s influence can benefit not just individuals, but entire families. One psychologist saw this firsthand and was deeply moved. He explains:

“Encouraged by my father, I pursued a college education in psychology and began working in the correctional field. I felt fulfilled, believing I was helping people. But over time, I noticed that the methods we used didn’t bring lasting change. There were surface improvements, but little deep transformation. This troubled me.”
(Psychologist, Correctional Field)

While supervising juvenile delinquents on parole, he encountered a family with three children in serious trouble. After a nine-month break, he revisited the case and was astonished. The once chaotic home was now clean and orderly. The children were well-dressed and more emotionally stable. What caused this dramatic change? The mother had started studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses and was applying its principles in her home.

“Seeing that transformation made me question whether something beyond my training could bring better results.”
(Psychologist, Correctional Field)

He also grew concerned about worsening global conditions and the inability of his agency to solve social problems:

“We tried everything—smaller caseloads, new methods, old techniques with new names. But nothing worked.”
(Psychologist, Correctional Field)

Eventually, he began studying the Bible seriously. He saw young people—including former drug users and delinquents—change their personalities and become responsible, moral people. He came to appreciate that Bible principles can produce deep, lasting change—not just superficial improvements.

Prisoner Breaks Free from Violence

A similar story appeared in the South Middlesex News on May 11, 1975, under the headline “Inmate Pays Religious Debt.” It told of a middle-aged prisoner who shared a cell with a Jehovah’s Witness. At first, he resisted what he heard:

“Everything the Witness said went against what I’d been taught. But eventually I saw that Jehovah’s Witnesses had answers to all the contradictions.”
(Prisoner, Massachusetts)

He began studying the Bible and found a solid foundation and clear goals—something he’d never had before. While on a work-release program, he helped build a Kingdom Hall in Framingham, Massachusetts. He said Bible knowledge helped him reverse a long pattern of violence in his family.

His psychologist confirmed the change:

“He’s gone from being an immoral and, destructive person to someone with a conscience. Therapy alone couldn’t have done this. His experience with the Witnesses brought about a powerful social re-education.”
(Psychologist, Massachusetts)

Though some might wonder if the change will last, the psychologist believes it’s permanent:

“There’s no guarantee, but I believe he’s found a new social reference group that’s truly changed his life.”
(Psychologist, Massachusetts)

Bible Education Surpasses Public Health Efforts

A woman in New York City devoted her life to public health education, hoping to help others. She still works as a nurse, but eventually realized that her career alone couldn’t bring full happiness. She shares:

“I wasn’t religious. I questioned God’s existence. Why did babies die while suffering elderly people lived on? My work gave me some satisfaction, but something was missing.”
(Public Health Nurse, New York)

She joined a community committee to improve local conditions. Despite repeated efforts, nothing changed:

“We wrote three letters to the Board of Education about dangerous school steps. Each time we were thanked—but nothing was done.”
(Public Health Nurse, New York)

Frustrated by bureaucracy and cultural bias, she spoke with her brother, a Jehovah’s Witness. He explained that even well-meaning officials are often blocked by the system. That got her thinking.

She began reading Bible literature—not to learn, but to find fault. Yet when she checked the claims against her own Bible, she found them to be true. Eventually, she decided to read the Bible first before arguing.

“I came to see that the Bible is reliable and inspired by God. Bible prophecy amazed me. Learning that ‘sin’ means ‘missing the mark’ helped me understand my own shortcomings.”
(Public Health Nurse, New York)

She also learned that we are living in the last days of this system and that God plans to restore humanity to perfect health on a cleansed earth:

“That would be the best welfare program ever! Now, I can help people physically and spiritually.”
(Public Health Nurse, New York)

“‘All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness.’”

(2 Timothy, 3:16)

“‘The word of God is alive and exerts power and is sharper than any two-edged sword.’”

(Hebrews, 4:12)

Happiness in Marriage

The difference between living with Bible-based guidance and without it can be clearly seen in the life of a young man who once served in the United States Air Force.

During his time in the military, he began living immorally and eventually felt pressured to marry a woman who was pregnant with his child. Yet he didn’t take on the role of a caring husband or father. He sent his wife back to her mother and was unfaithful. That marriage ended in divorce, and his former wife later remarried.

After leaving the Air Force, he moved back in with his parents and brother, who were studying the Bible with Jehovah’s Witnesses. He joined them in their study and gradually began applying Bible principles. In time, he remarried, as he was free to do so according to Scripture. Reflecting on his past and present, he shared:

*“In the past I lacked respect for women. By the way I lived, I brought much unhappiness to myself and others, especially to my first wife. After starting to live by the Bible, I could see that applying its principles was the best way to live. By treating my second wife in a Christian way, loving her as I do myself, I have found real happiness in marriage. Our marriage of ten years has been comparatively without problems. When consulted by others about marital problems, I direct them to what the Bible says. I know from personal experience that applying its counsel really works. On the other hand, those who disregard it, knowingly or unknowingly, experience much unhappiness and heartache.” (Ephesians, 5:28)

Saved from Suicide

Bible guidance can rescue people from deep despair and give them a meaningful life. One young person in the western United States experienced this firsthand.

At age twelve, he lost his father. His mother struggled with alcoholism and couldn’t offer much support. Feeling insecure, he began spending time with other teens who drank heavily, smoked marijuana, and used barbiturates. His depression worsened, and he developed an inferiority complex.

By seventeen, he was searching for help through religion. During school holidays, he visited a Catholic church morning, noon, and night, spending hours there each day. He prayed often and read the Bible, finding comfort in the Psalms and Proverbs. Still, he felt stuck.

One night, deeply depressed, he prayed and then called his sister-in-law around 11:30 p.m., saying he was ready to end his life. Unsure how to respond, she asked him to wait while she called someone. She reached out to a colleague—one of Jehovah’s Witnesses—who had helped her through difficult times.

That Witness called the youth and arranged to meet him that same night. Around 11:45 p.m., she and her teenage son picked him up. Their close bond and respectful behaviour made a strong impression. For the next three hours, they discussed questions like “Where are the dead?” and “Why has God permitted wickedness?” He was encouraged to learn that, according to Bible prophecy, the current system is in its “last days” and will soon be replaced by a righteous new one (2 Timothy, 3:1). He was thrilled to discover that he might not have to wait until death to be reunited with his father—he could survive the end of this system and welcome his father back from the dead (John, 5:28–29).

When asked if he wanted to study the Bible, he paused. What he had heard gave him hope. He agreed, believing that regular study would bring even more benefit. And it did. Learning and applying Bible principles gave him purpose and a solid hope for the future. His thinking changed completely. Sadness and depression gave way to deep joy. Today, he spends his time helping others discover the Bible’s life-changing guidance.

Jehovah’s Witnesses around the world have found that following the Bible brings genuine happiness. Problems still arise, of course, and not all are easily solved. But Bible counsel helps people handle challenges without being overwhelmed (Psalm, 119:105).