Hey there,
Spring has finally arrived! With the equinox behind us and
warmer days on the horizon here in the Black Hills, many of us are starting to
think about cleaning out garages, decluttering closets, and maybe even hosting
(or hunting for) those classic yard sales that pop up this time of year.
But imagine if the Satan himself decided to hold a garage
sale...
On the day of the sale, his tools were placed for public
inspection, each marked with its price. There were treacherous implements:
hatred, envy, jealousy, deceit, lust, lying, pride, and so on.
Set apart from the rest was a harmless-looking tool. It was
quite worn and yet priced very high.
"What is the name of this tool?" asked one of the
customers, pointing to it.
"That is discouragement," Satan replied.
"Why have you priced it so high?"
"Because it is more useful to me than the others. I can
pry open and get inside a man's heart with that, even when I cannot get near
him with the other tools. It is badly worn because I use it on almost everyone,
since so few people know it belongs to me."
The devil's price for discouragement was high because it is
still his favorite tool, and he is still using it on God's people.
This old illustration rings true today. Discouragement
sneaks in quietly—through setbacks, criticism, perceived unanswered prayers, or
just the weariness of life—and it wears us down like nothing else. The Bible
acknowledges this reality. In Joshua 1:9, God commands, "Have I
not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be
discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." And in Isaiah 41:10, He promises, "Fear
not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen
you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
These verses remind us that
discouragement is real, but it's not the final word—God sees it, opposes it,
and offers Himself as our strength against it.
But the remedy for discouragement isn't merely "trying
harder" or summoning more personal willpower. It's encouragement—being
lifted up, built up, and reminded of God's truth and presence. The Bible
doesn't leave us to fight alone; it calls us into community where encouragement
flows freely. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul instructs believers, "Therefore
encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are
doing." The early church thrived because they actively spurred one
another on in faith, hope, and love, even amid the trials. When discouragement
pries at our hearts, God designed the church—His body—to be the place where we
receive mutual encouragement, prayer, fellowship, and the shared reminder of
the gospel that renews our strength.
If discouragement has been weighing on you lately, don't
face it in isolation. Come join us at Black Hills Church, where we're a family
committed to encouraging one another in Christ. We're located at 13654 South Hwy 16 in Rapid
City, SD, and we'd love to welcome you—whether for worship, Bible study, or
just to connect over coffee. Together, we can stand against the devil's
worn-out tool and experience the encouragement that comes from God's people
gathered in His name.
You're invited. Come as you are—God is ready to meet you
here. Visit us at blackhillscoc.org or join us
this Sunday!
Charlie
