[bigletter]One of Satan’s oldest tools is the powerful weapon called discouragement. In scripture, he used it on several men of God.[/bigletter]
He used it on Moses. Moses who had personally experienced God’s power and awe questioned and blamed God because he was discouraged. Exodus 5: 22-23 tells us that “…Moses returned unto the Lord, and said, Lord, wherefore hast thou so evil entreated this people? Why is it that thou hast sent me? For since I came to Pharaoh to speak in thy name, he hath done evil to this people; neither hast thou delivered thy people at all.“
Discouragement also plagued Elijah, even leading him to the point of depression. Elijah had also seen the raw power of God. This great prophet had just called fire down from heaven. He had just killed 850 prophets and prophetesses. 1 Kings 19: 3-5 tells us that Elijah was afraid and ran for his life, leaving his servant behind. He then went into the wilderness, asking to die.
The enemy used the same tool on Jeremiah to the point that he decided, “…not make mention of Him, nor speak anymore in His name” (Jeremiah 20: 9).
The New Testament saints were not exempt from the enemy’s attack. Apostle Paul himself says in 2 Corinthians 1: 8, “For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.”
Satan even dared to try the tool of discouragement on our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. The reason Jesus came to this world was to die for our sins and take our sins away. Now at the verge of moving to the next level, that is, going to save the world, see what Jesus said in Matthew 26:39, “And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.”
Thank God, Jesus Christ concluded by saying “nevertheless not as I will,” but let Your will be done.
Many things have gone wrong in the world. It’s always breaking news, and the news is always negative. The only good news in the world now is the good news of Jesus Christ.
The encouraging news today is the good news of Jesus Christ.
The devil knows this. So, he does all he can to block people out or box them into a corner. He uses discouragement to achieve his aim. He knows that discouraged people cannot communicate with God effectively nor hear God clearly. Back to 1 Samuel 30, David and his men were crying and discouraged when they lost their families. While that was going on, he could not hear God. Certainly, David had to encourage himself in the Lord before he could hear what he needed to do to get out of the predicament.
Discouragement leads to hopelessness. Maybe you are discouraged but nobody seems to notice or even see you. I want you to know that God sees you and He is speaking. Remember, only when David encouraged himself in the Lord and overcame the spirit of discouragement did he hear that he should pursue, overtake and recover all. So, it is only the heart that is encouraged that hears good news from the Lord. Also, notice from David’s story that discouragement is a personal decision. Discouragement comes to everyone, but each person chooses how to respond.
It is true that the closer you get to God, the weaker your “mountains” get. Praying and deploying the word of God weaken the mountains.
First, feed yourself with the word of God since faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Hold on to God and keep pressing in. Don’t give up. Don’t let discouragement get the best of you. Just as David encouraged himself and did not wait for people around him to do so, encourage yourself in the Lord.
Second, release your situation into the hands of the Lord. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” Prayerfully give it to Him and leave it there.
Third, see divine possibilities in every situation. In Matthew 19:26 Jesus says, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
There is always a divine possibility in every situation.
Finally, do not give up. When you think you cannot take any further step, remember the Israelites. When they got to the Red Sea, they could not take any further steps. However, God told them to go forward, and they did. When you have reached your wits’ end, that is the beginning of divine operation in your life.
Be encouraged.

Samson Fayoyiwa
September 27, 2022God bless you sir. It’s a word in season. More grace and lifting in Jesus’ name. May we all have strength in our inner man in Jesus’ name as espoused in Ephesians 3:16 because it’s when we have strength that comes from the place of knowing God that we can do exploits (Daniel 11:32).
Joy Odafe
September 29, 2022Amen!
Bosede
September 27, 2022Thank you so much for this message. it couldn’t have come at a better time. I had the same experience today and I thank God for removing the heaviness from me. This point that “…discouraged people cannot communicate with God effectively nor hear God clearly” is nothing but the truth. May we see discouragement for what it truly is: a weapon of the enemy to keep us away from God and lock us up in the prison of hopelessness. We are set free in Jesus’ name.
Joy Odafe
September 29, 2022Amen! Hallelujah!!