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Blue Springs, MO —
Have you ever been discouraged? Maybe, you’ve been searching for employment or preparing for a serious medical test? Perhaps you have a wayward child or have been unable to have children. Do the bills never end?
If you sometimes get discouraged, consider this fellow as described by the Wall Street Journal:
“He dropped out of grade school. Ran a country store. Went broke. Took 15 years to pay off his bills. Took a wife. Unhappy marriage. Ran for House. Lost twice. Ran for Senate. Lost twice. Delivered speech that became a classic. Audience indifferent. Attacked daily by the press and despised by half the country. Despite all this, imagine how many people all over the world have been inspired by this awkward, rumpled, brooding man who signed his name simply, A. Lincoln.”
Remember what Emerson said: “When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated … he has a chance to learn something.”
Over the years, I’ve heard this fable about the Wedge of Discouragement. Let me share it with you.
One day the devil was having a sale, bragging about his many diabolical tools of the trade. On display, with their price tags attached, were all the devil’s tools and weapons: The arrows of jealousy, the hammer of anger, the dagger of worry, the slingshot of doubt, the axe of hatred and numerous others.
But one tool stood out above them all. Displayed prominently on a pedestal high above the rest of his wares was showcased, “The Wedge of Discouragement.”
Intrigued by this little tool, which was dented and worn with use, a curious shopper inquired about the price, because the wedge cost more than all the other tools combined.
“Ah yes,” said the devil, “THAT is my favorite tool of all. You see, it’s so easy to use. It hardly takes any effort. All I have to do is get the very tip of the wedge into my victim and the rest is easy. Once the wedge is in, I just tap it ever so slightly and it slides in deeper and deeper.
“Sometimes I don’t have to do anything – my victims drive the wedge in deeper all by themselves! A small opening soon becomes a gaping crack, making room for the rest of my tools. Before you know it, my wedge has completely split a person’s dreams, hopes, and aspirations in two.
“That’s why the wedge of discouragement commands such a high price – because it’s my most effective tool. It has opened more doors for me than all my other tools combined.”
Have you ever been discouraged? Maybe, you’ve been searching for employment or preparing for a serious medical test? Perhaps you have a wayward child or have been unable to have children. Do the bills never end?
If you sometimes get discouraged, consider this fellow as described by the Wall Street Journal:
“He dropped out of grade school. Ran a country store. Went broke. Took 15 years to pay off his bills. Took a wife. Unhappy marriage. Ran for House. Lost twice. Ran for Senate. Lost twice. Delivered speech that became a classic. Audience indifferent. Attacked daily by the press and despised by half the country. Despite all this, imagine how many people all over the world have been inspired by this awkward, rumpled, brooding man who signed his name simply, A. Lincoln.”
Remember what Emerson said: “When a man is pushed, tormented, defeated … he has a chance to learn something.”
Over the years, I’ve heard this fable about the Wedge of Discouragement. Let me share it with you.
One day the devil was having a sale, bragging about his many diabolical tools of the trade. On display, with their price tags attached, were all the devil’s tools and weapons: The arrows of jealousy, the hammer of anger, the dagger of worry, the slingshot of doubt, the axe of hatred and numerous others.
But one tool stood out above them all. Displayed prominently on a pedestal high above the rest of his wares was showcased, “The Wedge of Discouragement.”
Intrigued by this little tool, which was dented and worn with use, a curious shopper inquired about the price, because the wedge cost more than all the other tools combined.
“Ah yes,” said the devil, “THAT is my favorite tool of all. You see, it’s so easy to use. It hardly takes any effort. All I have to do is get the very tip of the wedge into my victim and the rest is easy. Once the wedge is in, I just tap it ever so slightly and it slides in deeper and deeper.
“Sometimes I don’t have to do anything – my victims drive the wedge in deeper all by themselves! A small opening soon becomes a gaping crack, making room for the rest of my tools. Before you know it, my wedge has completely split a person’s dreams, hopes, and aspirations in two.
“That’s why the wedge of discouragement commands such a high price – because it’s my most effective tool. It has opened more doors for me than all my other tools combined.”
The moral of this fable is obvious and so true, isn’t it? As it says on selfgrowth.com, the smallest bit of discouragement can split your dreams apart – if you let it.
James E. Faust stated, “There is a divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless.”
Let me share what works for me.
First, pray. Second, serve others. Third, tell yourself, “It’s OK.” Fourth, keep in the back of your mind, who carries the Wedge of Discouragement. Fifth, remember the Master who can heal all.
Readers, have a good week.
