"Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and, let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1).

There are some weights which are not sins in themselves, but which can be stumbling blocks in our Christian progress.  I am not thinking here of physical weight – something which I am sure that most of my readers would b only too glad to ‘lay aside’, but spiritual weights which the Devil would love to burden us down with. 

Interestingly, just as the word ‘devil’ begins with the letter D so, too, do the two words which I have in mind. They are: Discouragement and Despondency and it might help to picture them as the two ends of a dumb bell (another D word)

Discouragement actually has two definitions. One is ‘an action or experience that frustrates or tries to prevent something from happening or someone from doing something’ It aptly describes people when we try to lose weight and yet feel constantly blocked in our progress. The second definition is ‘loss of confidence or enthusiasm for something’ which is the emotional response to such frustration. Sometimes our discouragement lies with our own perceived failure to effect the changes we desire so desperately; sometimes we blame others for being unsupportive and sometimes we feel let down by a programme (or diet) we have tried to follow but has failed to deliver the anticipated results. Such experiences can knock us for six and we end up losing our confidence.

Despondancy is feeling downcast, disheartened and hopeless. I don’t think there is a dieter on this earth who hasn’t felt like this, not just occasionally, but every time the scales refuse to budge downwards. It can lead to loss of self-esteem and even more emotional eating to try and make ourselves feel better.  That is why it is so destructive and why the Devil uses it against us so much.

There is, however, another D word which (related to God) is sin, and that is Doubt. It is, by definition, a feeling of uncertainty about the truth and is the opposite of faith.  From the very dawn of creation this has been Satan’s main weapon against us.  In the Garden of Eden his ploy against Adam an Eve was to raise doubt by enquiring, ‘Has God said…?’ Their temptation wasn’t just to eat the forbidden fruit, but to doubt God’s wisdom, integrity and goodness. But we can set our will against doubt just as we do against any other sin; and as we stand firm and refuse to doubt, the Holy Spirit will come to our aid and give us the faith of God and crown us with victory.

It is very easy to fall into the habit of doubting, fretting, and wondering if God has forsaken us and if, after all, our hopes are to end in failure. Discouragements, in the form of set-backs, obstacles and trials, are sure to come. The Apostle Paul experienced them all the time, but he stood firm, strong in the Lord and in the power of his might.  Yes, he was troubled by his circumstances but he wasn’t crushed; he was frustrated but did not give in to despair; he was cast down at times, but never destroyed. (2 Cor. 4:8-9)

Now back to the dumb bells. Have you been like a weight lifter, picking up the twin weights of discouragement and despondency? I tell you, put them down!  These weights are not of God’s making and you are dumb if you don’t! Now, picture yourself bending low (a picture of humility) and picking up instead the Word of God.  This too can seem a heavy burden if held at arm’s length, but draw it close to your breast and you will find that all the strain is gone. Hold fast to this and it will keep you through every trial and temptation.