Discouragement, A Devil's Tool

eye of discouragement
We get discouraged sometimes. Life is a series of ups and downs. It's but normal to experience the negative emotion. Most often, I wouldn't let discouragement  define my day.

Browsing again my journal, I was reminded by this simple story:

The devil  once advertised his tools for sale at public  auction. His tools are  Malice, Hatred, Envy, Jealousy, Sensuality, Deceit  and more. A lot of buyers came to see and noticed one oddly shaped tool which was labeled "Not for sale." Asked to explain why, the devil answered, "I can spare my other tools, but I cannot spare this one. It is called  Discouragement!  That’s my most useful implement.”

Puzzled, one boy asked why.  The devil answered: “Using that tool, I  can work my way into a man’s heart. When I get this piece into his heart, the way is open to plant anything there I may desire.”

In other words, if we are discouraged long enough, we become an easy prey for the devil. We  may take some actions not even bothered whether it's right or wrong.

sad girl

The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.' ~Billy Graham

Do not be discouraged if your plans do not succeed the first time. No one learns to walk by taking only one step.  ~Catherine Pulsifer

Seeds of discouragement will not grow in the thankful heart. ~unknown


23 comments:

Dawn @ Words Of Deliciousness said...

I like this post. It comes at a good time for me. I am discouraged in many ways with my life right now. Thank you for sharing this one.

joy said...

Wonderful post. I remember a word from the bible' dont be discouraged, only believe. Very nice post and reminder.

Pink Line said...

"i wouldnt let discouragement ruin my day" -very positive, i want to adopt this positivity :)

Ric said...

Let's hang in there! Life can be so tough... We need to help ourselves! Thanks for the visit friends!

Archieviner VersionX said...

Nice story. I like this. Good vibes :)

Ric said...

Thanks too Archieviner!

Genskie said...

Very good posts... Thank you for the reminder as well... :)

Ric said...

Yes, I need this too! thanks Genskie!

littleyana said...

In life, we are not spared of trials and disappointments. How we live through these troubles is what really matters. We should also remember that best successes often come after greatest disappointments. Great post!

Phioxee said...

tool pala ni devil yung discouragement? now i have to be careful.

just me,
www.phioxee.com

Kartun Netbuk said...

Hello friends thanks for dropping by! Will visit your blogs tonight!

Life is only what you make it said...

I nominated you for the Liebster Blog Award. :)
http://lifeisonlywhatyoumakeit.blogspot.com/2012/10/liebster-award.html

joanne said...

So never again will I let discouragement discourage me! Ay redundant, hehe.. I love this post, very positive!

Good morning!

Ric said...

Thanks for the visit Patricia and Joanne!

MEcoy said...

I can't help but to be discouraged by some unfortunate events in my life but thats before I knew god deeper i know that everything that is happening in life is according to god's will and with that i know its gonna be okay

Ric said...

Very well-said MeCoy, same with me!

Lady Fishbone said...

In everything we don. we must seek first Lord's guidance.

Natutunan ko lang noong Sunday na ang negative na naririnig at nangyayari sa paligid at effect ng devil. But if we have faith to GOD, nothing will happen bad to us. Just keep praying and have faith, and ang mga negative vibes ay kusang lalayo sa buhay natin :D

Brur said...

That's right. What happen if the devil sold his tools? As we know that the world must be balance to each other, between good and bad things, or like darkness and lightness. The devil has a duty to make a human out from the God ways. If the tools is not, the world on the good situation. if the world like this: save, there is no criminality or other bad action, what is the heaven built by the God?. And I think, the devil know that and he never take no action to make someone be his follower in The hell.

Ric said...

Yes and we need to remind ourselves from time to time because will always do that for us.

Michelle said...

Ric, my friend Sara lost her bus card this morning when goin to school. After realizing that her card was missing, she got sad and discouraged and she was even ready to go back home simply becoz her Monday morning was already ruined. I encouraged her and tried all my best to calm her down...trying to make her understand that, there can be worse things than a missing bus card. After several calls, I got her bus card back(Sara had lost hope) this afternoon.
Well, from Sara's experience...I admit that, we should not be discouraged and neither should we let discouragement ruin our day nor our moods.

Lovely post Ric...I told you I like reading your posts.

Ric said...

Nice to hear your story Michelle. That's great! Well, i'll visit your blog today and I'll share my comments there. thanks!

Joseylifeline said...

Very nice post. Sometimes when we are discouraged it helps to avoid using words like problems and view them as challenges, situations or even opportunities.

Ric said...

yes, that is true joseylifeline. better view them as opportunities. thanks. I will visit your blog today!