The most powerful tool that Satan has against us is discouragement!
Even Elijah, one of God's boldest prophets who faced down 450 prophets and called fire from heaven, found himself running for his life overtaken by discouragement.
Guard your heart!
Keep looking UP!
Refuse to let the enemy sow seeds of discouragement and despair.
Avoid falling into the trap of cooperating with his tactics. He'd rather have you do his work by getting discouraged on your own instead of facing you head-on.
He's more assured of victory if we give in to that!
The perfect example is when Satan tempted Jesus in the desert. He didn't aim to battle Jesus head-on; his strategy was to make Jesus give in on His own by discouraging Him Matthew 4:3-10
"If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.." "But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." "If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you..." Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’" “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.” "Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve... "
The same thing happened to the most iconic immortal, gutsiest prophet of all time - Elijah! These are all his accomplishments before he fell into depression:
He stood up boldly and spoke before King Ahab at a time when idolatry had swept the land, announcing God's curse: "As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”
(Gutsy! Wow!) I Kings 17:1 Later on, we learned that he blessed a woman's oil and flour, preventing them from running out. He also brought her son back to life by stretching himself over the boy's body three times, and God restored the child's life. (Incredible!) I Kings 17 He was brave enough to challenge 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the false god Asherah to a showdown on Mount Carmel. On the spot, he called on the Lord, and God's fire fell from heaven, consuming the offering, the wood, the altar, the water, and even the dust around it.
(This is by far one of my favorite parts of the Bible, the most courageous act of faith.)
He prayed, and rain fell on Israel! (Wow!)
But... the enemy succeeded in discouraging him!
After the stunning victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah fell into depression and remained there for days without eating. Despite this, God never abandoned him. He cared for Elijah's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, allowing him to rest and regain strength so he could finish his purpose.
No matter how strong we are or how many accomplishments we have with God in our pocket, the enemy's tactics remain unchanged. Let's not be ignorant of this fact!
"...lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices." 2 Corinthians 2:11
Let's refuse to allow discouragement or doubt into our hearts! We won't give in or give up! Let's anchor ourselves in the Word of God and in prayer.
TRUST THE LORD!
Keep looking UP!
Jesus is coming for us, and we're almost home!
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IF YOU ARE NOT IN CHRIST, GET SAVED RIGHT NOW!
Believe Jesus is the Son of God, who shed His blood for you, died on the cross for our sins, He was buried and resurrected during the third day, according to the Scriptures, so we can have eternal life with Him.
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