It was once announced that the devil was going out of business. And, he would offer all of his tools for sale. They were all on display: hatred, envy, sensuality, deceit… All of the implements of evil were spread out and marked with a price. Apart from the rest lay a harmless looking wedge-shaped tool that was very worn and priced higher than any other tool. Someone asked the devil what it was. “Discouragement,” was his reply. “And, why is the price so high?” Satan replied, “Because it is more useful to me than any of the others. With discouragement I can get inside a person’s consciousness. Once inside, I can use him in whatever way suits me best. It is so worn because I use it on everybody. Very few people know that it belongs to me.”
Many of God’s people in Bible times experienced discouragement, despair, or unhappiness. Job asked, “Why did I not die at birth?” (Job 3:11). Elijah “went a day’s journey into the wilderness…sat down under a juniper tree…and said, ‘It is enough! Now, Lord, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.'” (1 Kings 19:4) Jeremiah confessed, “See, O Lord, that I am in distress…my heart is overturned with me.” (Lam. 1:20)
Discontent and Disappointment
F.E. Marsh said,
“Discontent and disappointment often lead to discouragement, and discouragement leads to depression, and these together will breed despair.”
The answer to discouragement is found in 1 Samuel 30:6: “David encouraged himself in the Lord His God.” Ephesians 6:11 says to, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
Keep your eyes on the Lord Jesus Christ and make the devil’s tool unusable! Are you battling discouragement right now? Let us know and we will stand in prayer with you! Share this post with anyone who you know needs freedom from discouragement.
Discover more about Tabernacle Bible College & Seminary’s degree programs.