The Devil's Yard Sale

The Devil's Yard Sale

One day, Devil laid out his gleaming, razor-edged tools upon a worn & ancient wooden table. He announced a "fire" sale & carefully marked price upon each tool:

ANGER: $100, RESENTMENT: $400, HATRED: $600, etc.

Each tool sold almost as quickly as it was placed upon table. Toward end of day, a crooked old man in tattered rags approached. The man eyed tools that remained, but was taken by a certain tool at end of table.

The tool resembled 2 long & bowed fangs of a viper. Its chrome-like pointy tusks caught sun & sent flashes of blinding light everywhere.

With one hand, old man blocked his eyes from glare & with other, he reached for tool. As he grabbed hold, tool's steely, needle tips nearly pierced his hand. This seemed to please old man. He snatched up tool & held it to his chest. With a glint in his eye, man asked Devil, “How much for this one?”

“I’m sorry, that tool isn’t for sale,” Devil replied.

Without hesitation, man said, “But I’ll pay double.”

The Devil narrowed his eyes & hissed, “Sir, I’ve told you, that tool isn’t for sale, nor will I ever sell it. It is most useful tool I own & without it, I wouldn't be half as effective in my work. With that tool alone, I can accomplish my every task.”

Dejected, man looked once more at shiny tool, then slowly placed it on table. With almost a whisper, he said to Devil, "If I can't buy it, would you, at least tell me its name?"

A slow & wicked grin grew across Devil's face. "Of course, old man, its name is... Discouragement."

Perplexed, old man wondered out loud, “Why is this tool so important to you?”

The devil responded, “It’s more useful to me than any of others. When I can’t bring down my victims with rest of my tools, I use discouragement, because so few people realize it belongs to me. Nothing paralyzes a person, nothing stops someone in their tracks like discouragement & hopelessness.

Discouragement & hopelessness are no respecters of persons. They keep unemployed unemployed. The homeless homeless. The sick sick. They can even draw most powerful ministry to its knees. When overcome with discouragement & hopelessness, person can’t pray, they can’t worship &y become a victim of their environment.

Discouragement & hopelessness drains their victims of courage, vision, faith, expectation &’ll to make a difference in kingdom of God. If I can get you discouraged & hopeless, then I’ve successfully neutralized you. You’re left with only enough energy to feel sorry for yourself.”

Many men & women embark on journey toward God & salvation. It is something exciting or something new, a new form of energy, boldness & desire to pursue that which our hearts long for.

However, as journey ensues, many run out of steam, & eventually give up. Trials & difficulties plague our every step in our attempt to climb Mountain of God.

In times of discouragement, we need to be reminded to keep holding onto courage we began with, irrespective of obstacles & challenges that may cloud our paths. We’re 'Saints in Making', clay pots still being molded, & for those who persevere till end, reward of Heaven awaits them.

"We’ve troubles all around us, but we aren’t defeated. We don’t know what to do, but we don’t give up hope of living. We’re persecuted, but God doesn’t leave us. We’re hurt sometimes, but we aren’t destroyed."

Last Edited by Twisted on 12/28/2018 02:50 PM