DISCOURAGED?

Katie told me about one of her teammates that is having a tough time right now due to an ACL injury.  It reminded me of a parable-like story I recently read.  It’s a story written about the tools of the enemy that I believe we can really learn from.

“Some time ago, an advertisement appeared in which the devil was putting all his tools up for sale.  On the day of the public sale, each one of his tools was marked with its selling price: Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Doubt, Lying, Pride, and so on.  Set apart, however, from all the rest of the pile, was a harmless-looking tool, well-worn, but priced very high -- it was discouragement!

Someone asked the devil, ‘why is that one priced so high?’  He replied, ‘Ah, that one is more useful to me than all the rest.  With it I can pry open a man’s heart and enter, when I cannot get near him with any other tools.  Once inside, I can lead him any way I choose.  The tool is very worn because I use it on almost everyone, since few people know it belongs to me.’”

The enemy loves to sow discouragement -- but believers have a tool much more powerful -- encouragement!  We can speak a word into the lives of those who desperately need to hear it.  We have the power in our lips to rekindle a discouraged soul.  Let’s inspire one another with words of encouragement!  It costs nothing, and reaps an eternal reward…”encourage one another daily, as you see the Day draw near. (Hebrews 10:25) 

Proverbs 15:23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

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