The Demon

I know this demon. I've seen his face before.

He leans over my shoulder as I browse blogs and websites and tells me "You're nowhere near as good as those folk. Look at all the Christians out there that know where they're at! They have direction - you have nothing. You're looking, but you'll never find what you're looking for. Who would want to hear what you have to say!"

He nudges me in the ribs at church and says "What are you doing here among all these Godly folk? You know you've made a gigantic mess this week. Look at them - worshipping and praising and meeting with God. When last did you know Who you were worshipping? When last did you feel that lost passion for God?"

He joins my best friend and I for coffee and whispers "Hey, didn't you hear her say she heard God's voice on this? Did you notice that she never does anything without first praying? And you - well, you just rush right in and only remember to pray when it's all over. And God never talks to you! She constantly shines with God's presence - you don't even glow in the dark!"

He sits beside me at home and mocks "When are you going to get a life? When are you going to do all those wonderful things with your child that you planned? But no, you're too tired, you're too selfish, you just want a break. Don't you know you're not a good mother?"

He follows me around the shops and tempts me "Come on, you've just been paid. Why worry about tomorrow. All your friends seem to overflow with cash - they're constantly buying new stuff and you're a financial failure! So just give up and forget about saving for the rainy day - there are no clouds around."

He sits on my desk at work, swinging his legs against the drawers. "You know the boss doesn't like you. What you thought was a promotion was his way of getting you out of his office. And now he wants to give your office to someone else and stick you in a hole in the corner. He doesn't care - and neither should you. Why be nice when you're treated like scum?"

I know this demon. I've seen his face. His name is Discouragement.

And I will not let him in.