Do you ever have those weeks where Satan comes by and just sucks all of the hope out of you? And then all you’re left with is a sack of discouragement and you don’t have a clue what to do with it?
If you’re a regular reader, you know if I’m writing about it, it’s because that’s how my week went.
Picture it: It’s the start of a new week. You’re hopeful things are going to be okay, even though you’ve got a few things on your schedule you’re nervous about. But, then Monday gets in full swing and it’s a Monday, for sure. Tuesday comes around and you know your patience is going to be tested. And right around mid-week when you run out of patience, Satan delivers a box of discouragement right to your doorstep.
Surprise! That box of discouragement has your name on it, signed from Satan himself.
When Satan uses Discouragement to get you down
Those weeks, friend, can leave you feeling drained. And if you’re like me, it’ll leave you a little grouchy. (Sorry, y’all.) I’m not sure why, but it seems like when one things starts to discourage you a little, a whole flood of things to get upset about hits you. Hard.
Actually, I guess I do know why that happens. Uncontrollable waves of discouragement is the way Satan wants it to go. Because when we get discouraged, we let our guard down. When we let our guard down, it’s easy for Satan to snuggle up close and whisper lies about us in our ears. And then, yep, you guessed it. We start to believe those lies to be true.
Ha, you’re silly for hoping the Lord will move in that situation.
You’re not good enough. What you’re hoping for will never happen.
Your future is going to be blaaaah. Stop hoping for a husband, or a wife, or children, or a nice home, or new job or (insert whatever you’re hoping for here).
The things people say about you are true. Face it.
Satan is a liar
But, you know what, friend? Scripture tells us in John 8:44 that Satan is a liar and the father of it. Truth is not a thing that Satan speaks. And truth is not what Satan whispers in our ears when we’re having a low moment.
Zach Williams has a new song out called “Fear is a liar.” I’m sure you’ve probably heard it if you keep your radio dial set to the Christian station. But, part of the song goes “Fear, he is a liar. He will take your breath. Stop you in your steps… He will rob your rest. Steal your happiness.”
In this case, let’s replace the word “fear” with “discouragement.” Don’t try to sing it. Doesn’t quite fit the melody. But still, let’s pretend it says discouragement instead.
Discouragement that Satan sends your way will absolutely take your breath. It will stop you dead in your tracks. It will steal all your rest and your happiness. And it will leave you without any hope at all.
I know this to be true, because that’s what I experienced this week.
As I was discussing with my Mom the things that were getting me down and the comments that were said to me this week that got my goat, she said to me, “But, we have faith. And we can hope. It’s the evidence of things not seen.”
Faith is the substance of things hoped for
The scripture she was referring to was Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. In Christ we have hope. We know Christ cares for us. And we know when we serve the Lord, the Lord grants us the desires of our hearts.
We know that because Psalms 37:4 tells us so. Psalms 37:4 says, Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.
Maybe the things you’ve been praying and hoping for haven’t came to pass yet. It could be that the Lord is making you wait because He’s still preparing you for what’s to come. Whatever the reason, don’t give up hope and don’t listen to Satan. Satan will use anything he can to get you down.
When Satan drops a box of discouragement on your doorstep, return that package right back to the sender, friend! You don’t even need to open it or dwell on it.
Remember, friend, we have hope for good things to come through our faith in Jesus Christ. Don’t let Satan take your hope from you.
Thoughts?