Once upon a time, it was announced that the devil was going out of business and would sell all his equipment to those who were willing to pay the price.On the big day of the sale, all his tools were attractively displayed. There were Envy, Jealousy, Hatred, Malice, Deceit, Sensuality, Pride, Idolatry, and other implements of evil display. Each of the tools was marked with its own price tag.
Over in the corner by itself was a harmless-looking, wedge-shaped tool that looked very much worn, but still it bore a higher price tag than any of the other tools. Someone asked the devil what it was, and he answered, "That is Discouragement."
The next question came quickly, "And why is this tool priced so high even though it is plain to see that it is more worn than the others?"
"Because," replied the devil, "This tool is more useful to me than all the other tools. I can pry open and get into any person's heart with this tool when I cannot get near the person with any other tool. Once I find my way inside the human heart, I can manipulate the person that I am attacking in whatever way suits me best. I have used this wonderful tool to my best advantage by sending people to their graves earlier through suicide, by turning the hearts of people away from God and away from His salvation plan through Jesus Christ, by shaking, destroying and ruining the faith of every Christian around the globe, by setting off an amazing domino effect of discouragement and discord in so many churches and their ministries, and by causing all backsliders and prodigals to believe that there is no hope in life so that they may remain utterly lost in their sinful state. Discouragement is a tool which is so worn because I have used it destructively on everybody in the world, and very, very few people even realise that this tool belongs to me."
This tool was priced so high that no one could buy it, and to this very day it has never been sold. It still belongs to the devil, and he still uses it on mankind.
Beware the wiles of the evil one who seeks to destroy our lives through his ever wicked tool of Discouragement..
~ Author Unknown
There is no room for discouragement in the lives of those who keep their eyes on Jesus and refuse to look down at the situation that consumes them. There is no mountain that God will not remove for those who love Him and are living according to His direction.
~ Anne Kaestner
..Fear not, neither be discouraged.. ~ Deuteronomy 1:21b
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