One of the Devil's greatest tools is the tool of discouragement. If we don't deal with discouragement, it can and most likely will lead to despair. Even a Christian who is strong in the faith can become discouraged.
Even the great prophet Elijah was discouraged at times.
"And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers."—I Kings 19:3-4
He wanted to die. He didn't think he could take any more.
"And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of the LORD came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my like, to take it away."—I Kings 19:9-10
Elijah was looking at himself. Then he looked at others. He was telling God how faithful he had been and the children of Israel hadn't.
Here is the danger. We can get our eyes off the Lord and onto ourselves and others. Where are you looking? At yourself, others, or the Lord?
One of two things will happen when we look at others. Either we'll get proud because we think we're doing better, or we'll get discouraged because others are doing better than we are.
We must keep our eyes on the Lord.
—adapted from the January 1, 2016 issue of the Sword of the Lord newspaper. Written by Dr. Dennis Leatherman of Mountain Lake Independent Baptist Church, Oakland, Maryland
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