Sometimes as we go through life, we encounter setbacks, challenges, and weaknesses. I don’t know about you, but when I face these kinds of moments, I feel frustrated, for I want to please God. I want to bring forth works, choices, and activities that His Son, Jesus Christ did. In fact, I study my scriptures so that I can see His patterns and works; I want to do what He did.
So when I stumble and fall, I am filled with regret. And it is during these kinds of moments, that if I’m not careful, discouragement fills me.
Discouragement does not come from God. God is a God of light, of love, of encouragement. Discouragement does not come from our Father in Heaven, but instead from the adversary – he who seeks to destroy us.
The apostle Peter spoke of this adversary. We have Peter’s record in the New Testament. He said,
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).
We do not need to fear the adversary, but we do need to be vigilant and serious about what the adversary seeks – our destruction. So is it any wonder that one of the adversary’s most clever of tools is that of discouragement? For if we give in to discouragement, generally we choose to give up. We choose the path of least resistance. We give up our dreams, our worthy thoughts, our worthy desires.
No, discouragement does not come from the Lord. But He has given us an antidote for it: “Your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you” (D&C 88:67). As the pamphlet, “Let Virtue Garnish Thy Thoughts,” instructs,
“Fill your life with truth, righteousness, peace, and faith. As you fill your life with goodness, there will be no room for…sources of spiritual darkness.”
Oh, how I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. For therein I learn how to escape darkness and find joy in Him who came to redeem us all! As I study the scriptures and pray for guidance, the Lord will bring to me strength to overcome discouragement and other forms of spiritual darkness that the adversary would throw my way.
The adversary may seek my destruction, but Christ seeks my everlasting happiness. Like Joshua in the Old Testament declared:
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
I invite you to come here the next time you feel discouraged. Immerse yourselves in the scriptures and feel of God’s love for you. The Lord will help you in all things if you but turn to Him!
