Victory Over Discouragement

Victory over Discouragement

Mark 1:23-28 (Jesus Drives Out an Evil Spirit)

Yard sales are interesting. It is very common in the suburban area. We all might see a new yard sale every week, during the summer. Yard sales exist by the motto, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” There might be someone who cannot wait to get rid of their old tapes or furniture, because it has been cluttering their house. Along comes a complete stranger, who just so happens to be in need of such an item. Can you imagine the happiness on their face when they see the item at such a low price. But the funny part is: This man will simply buy the items in the yard sale to clutter his own home. And again, the cycle continues, another yard sale.

There was once a story about Satan having a yard sale. He thought of getting rid of some of his old tools that were cluttering up his house. There was gossip, slander, adultery, lying, power-hunger, greed, and lust, which he laid out on the tables. Interested buyers all came to the tables, looking for a good buy.

One customer, however, walked to the very back of the garage and found a very shiny tool on a shelf. It looked very well cared for. He brought it out to Satan and asked if it was for sale. “Oh, no!” Satan answered. “That’s my tool. Without it, I could not destroy the world! It is a valuable weapon!” “But what is it?” the customer asked. “It is the tool of discouragement,” the devil said.

Brothers and sisters, nothing takes the life out of you more than discouragement. A discouraged spirit is a powerless spirit. It is an awful feeling, and it feels like the wind has been knocked out of your soul.

Please turn with me to Mark 1:23-27. “Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”

This man,who was possessed by an evil spirit, must have also felt discouraged when he met Jesus. He was so discouraged that he became too spiritually blind to see that Jesus wanted to heal him from his demons. The gospel of Mark states, Jesus told the demons within the man to be quiet and then ordered the evil spirit to come out of him. Jesus wanted his man to quiet his soul and spirit. So, God is also calling us to do the same. When we feel overwhelmed or attacked by demons, we often try to fight on our own and often forget to calm our spirits. If we could just quiet our souls and the demons that bring discouragement, God can work wonders in our life. But, sometimes it is easier said than done. Today we will meditate in three key phases of achieving victory over discouragement.

Battling Discouragement

“Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” - Psalm 55:22

There might be a brother or sister who has lost their job or visa. There might be some family members who have not gotten their visa approved for many years. There are some people working late hours for an overseas company and getting little rest. This economy has made it difficult for everyone. And with it, there is discouragement.

There might be some families who are going through a difficult time within their family members. There might be misunderstandings and disagreements that result in hurting someone you were supposed to love. There might be anger where there is supposed to be love. And with this, there is discouragement.

Discouragement is an awful feeling. When life does not happen the way you planned, and you lose control of the situation, your confidence is shattered. Your motivation evaporates. Have you ever felt that way? If you have, do you remember how you were able to get over it? For you see, some people are never able to get over it. When a traumatic event occurs, discouragement sets in, and they are never the same.

Every day is a battle with discouragement. We, as humans, always want to have the best, and we spend long hours planning out our lives. The moment life does not go the way you want it to, you feel as though you have become a victim of life. In every circumstance, you are a victim. In every relationship, you are a victim. In every conflict, you are a victim. Discouragement is a strong force. It blinds your spiritual soul from seeing the positive things in life. Discouragement only allows you to be a victim, but, Children of God, He is calling you to see yourself as victors.