Discouragement is one of Satan’s favorite weapons.

Discouragement is one of Satan’s favorite weapons against believers because it can damage your witness and make you ineffective for God. It can affect your whole outlook on life. It can make you feel as though there’s a dark cloud over you wherever you go. It can steal your joy, your motivation, and your God-given goals. When you sense heaviness in your spirit it makes it difficult for you to be hopeful or cheerful.

Discouragement can also cause you to become angry with God because He has allowed you to be hurt by circumstances or other people. You may even begin pointing fingers at others for not treating you the way you think they should. And many times deep down inside, you are angry with yourself for making poor decisions or costly mistakes. The problem with all this is that it doesn’t lead to healing or restoration, and it keeps you stuck and unable to move forward.

If you don’t deal properly with discouragement, it eventually will cause you to become bitter. Once bitterness begins to take root in your heart, it can lead you to act in spiteful, cruel, and hateful ways. Then the Lord will allow you to suffer the natural consequences of your ungodly attitude and actions, rather than coming to rescue and relieve you.

When we’re feeling discouraged go to God immediately and confess that your struggling. The more honest you are with God in the matter, the more open you will be to His help and healing. Turn to God and tell Him exactly what you are feeling, and ask Him to help you to cooperate with Him for your deliverance. Then make up your mind to put your trust in the Lord to bring good out of your painful circumstances. (Romans 8:28)

You honor God when you trust Him in times of trouble, and there are rich rewards waiting ahead for you when you do.

Take discouragement seriously from now on. Remind yourself of how destructive it can be, and how it can harm your relationship with God and others. Have a trusting heart that really believes that He can bring good out of every situation. Put your hope in His goodness, wisdom, and mercy, and watch the working wonders that will take place on your behalf!