Satan had a garage sale ... 

“Once upon a time, the devil had a garage sale. He spread out all of his prized tools on tables and placed price tags on each. Over here were some tools that make it easy to tear others down for use as stepping stones. And over there were some lenses for magnifying one’s own importance, which, if you looked through them the other way, you could also use to belittle others or even yourself. Against the wall was the usual assortment of gardening implements guaranteed to help your pride grow by leaps and bounds: the rake of scorn, the shovel of jealousy for digging a pit for your neighbor, the pitchfork of gossip and backbiting. Unresolved anger, resentment, lust, greed, pride, deceit, selfishness, apathy, criticism … a huge assortment of tools in his toolbox, all on display for sale.

One particular tool was extremely rusted and worn, the hinges squeaked and the handle was partly broken, but the price tag was exorbitant! “Why is this price so high?” a prospective buyer asked. “Ahhh” replied Satan, “That is the most useful tool I own. Without it, I wouldn't be half as effective in my work. With that tool alone, I can accomplish my every task.  I hesitate to let it go. A Christian can eventually recover from almost all of my other weapons. But this tool works quietly without them even being aware I am using it. I can slip it in and keep them defeated indefinitely. That tool is DISCOURAGEMENT” he hissed. “With it I remind them of their sins and failures and weaknesses. I make them feel not good enough, worthless. And they never even know what I am doing. This tool works when nothing else will. Nothing paralyzes a person or stops someone in their tracks like soul-wrenching discouragement and hopelessness. When overcome with discouragement and hopelessness, the person can’t pray, they can’t worship and they become a victim of their environment. With this tool I can drain my victims of courage, faith, hope, and self-respect. I can slowly suck the life out of them. If I can get them discouraged and hopeless, then I have successfully neutralized them. My victim is left with only enough energy to feel sorry for himself.”

So we have to keep fighting this war against discouragement! We have to refuse to believe the devil’s lies that if we can’t be perfect we might as well just give up. We have to stay focused and positive and believe Jehovah when he says the blood of Jesus is valuable enough and powerful enough to cover our sins and shortcomings as long as we remain humble and repentant and give Jehovah our personal best. We have to believe that holy spirit is the most powerful force in the universe and it can make us equal to any task, it can make us conquer anything Satan throws at us so that we can render the devil’s favorite tool – DISCOURAGEMENT – useless and ineffective on us.

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*** Watchtower 1/15/08 p. 27 pars. 11-12 ***

“Consider closely the one [Christ] who has endured such contrary talk by sinners against their own interests.” Why? Why? “That you may not get tired and give out in your souls.” (Hebrews 12:3)

Have you ever felt like giving up? Do you at times feel that you are a failure? If so, do not allow Satan to use those feelings to hinder you from serving Jehovah. In-depth Bible study, fervent prayer, and regular meeting attendance and association with those of like faith will strengthen you and keep you from ‘giving out in your soul.’ Jehovah has promised to help those serving him to regain power, and his promise is sure. (Read Isaiah 40:30, 31) Keep your eye on Kingdom service. Avoid time-consuming distractions, and focus on helping others. Then you will be strengthened to endure despite discouragement.—Gal. 6:1, 2
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I’d love to hear anyone’s comments ... what are some tools in YOUR toolbox that enable you to wage the war against discouragement?