"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Ephesians 6:22).
If the spiritual veil was lifted, we would be completely overwhelmed, disturbed, and shocked about what our eyes would behold. There is a spiritual war going on. It is a fight-to-the death battle, between good and evil. We know that the battle has already been won, but that doesn't mean that evil is dead. Absolutely not! Evil is all around us and evil wants to conquer as many of God's children as it can.
The devil has many schemes, tricks, and weapons that are used to trip us up and set us back. One such weapon is DISCOURAGEMENT.
The Apostle Paul faced many and great difficulties in his ministry. The Book of 2 Corinthians, chapter four is the preeminent chapter on Paul overcoming discouragement. "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body" (vv. 8-10).
The seeds of discouragement are planted all throughout the Bible, from the Old Testament to the New Testament. And today, the enemy is still sowing seeds of discouragement throughout the lives of everyone of God's children.
My late husband shared an old story that goes like this. The devil was having a garage sale, putting on a display of some of his best wares. Demons came from all around to see what they could purchase to improve their shameful skill.
The story goes on to say that the goods were useful, but pricey, until the demons noticed that there in the corner was an old worn and tattered box priced far above all the other evil tools of the trade. Finally, a demon worked up the courage to ask the devil why was that old box so expensive and the devil said, "Why that is the tool that I have used most often and with the greatest amount of success! This tool is called, discouragement." All the demons nodded in agreement.
The enemy will plant seeds of discouragement in your walk with God. Oh, yes! He wants to creep in your heart and plant that crippling seed to get you to alter your walk of faith. He wants you to question God and His goodness.
I know you have heard the old saying, "Bad things happen to good people." It's true, but we shouldn't be surprised when it happen. The enemy will plant seeds of tribulation in your path through sickness, joblessness, and all kinds of pestilence. He will try to steal your joy. He will bring chaos in your home. He will ruin an excellent relationship with your spouse, friends, relatives, even in your church. He will try to even shame you. He will do ANYTHING to overwhelm you and to bring you down emotionally.
Discouragement is the cleverish tool that Satan has in his entire arsenal. Because discouragement is his most effective tool. Discouragement is a dangerous state of mind. It leaves you open to assault. The devil sometimes use the ones that we really love or care about to discourage us. He will use those who we love and respect, to be insensitive to us, especially with words that wounds. He will use what we care about to break us down.
The enemy is so clever, because he can plant seeds of discouragement from our own way of thinking, through misinterpretation or misunderstanding. Just because it may seem difficult, doesn't mean that it is bad. When things don't turn out the way we hoped for, we become discouraged, telling ourselves that we have failed or the "woe is me" thought have us sprouting seedlings of discouragement.
Seeds of discouragement is also planted when our long awaited prayer has not been answered. This time of silence from God, the enemy will use against us. He will use God's silence as a source of discouragement. He will try to make you think that God's silence in your life is a result of your lack of love for God or God's lack of love for you. The enemy wants you to doubt your relationship with God and doubt His love for you.
The only way to fight discouragement is to trust God. God loves us, therefore, we must do our part in loving and trusting Him. We must rest in the assurance, that no matter what is happening in our lives, He will always be with us, because He will never leave us nor forsake us. Dr. Charles Stanley said, "Discouragement is a choice. You don't have to remain discouraged no matter what is going on in your life."
Discouragement is a personal attack on us and we have to fight against it. Some people are confronted with it more than others. Psalm 55:22 says, "Cast your burden on the LORD, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved." We are also reminded, "Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7). God is always at work in our lives and many times we can't see it, but nevertheless, He is at work for us, working it out for our good.