The Bible records a time in Job’s life that was filled with calamity and heartache. He began to drown in his misfortune and misery as it overwhelmed him, and he began to speak about the Lord out of the abundance of his discouragement. But everything changed after the Lord spoke to Him and shifted Job’s attention off of his reproach and onto the truth of God’s character (Job 42:1-6). After Job repented and began to realign his thoughts with the truth, he moved to act in a different spirit. Some of Job’s friends had not spoken the truth about God to him and in so doing, contributed to his misery. As he lifted them up in prayer with a heart full of thankfulness and faith, the favour of God was released over his life and he was given twice as much as what he had before! The Bible tells us to be aware and alert of the devil’s strategies, so that we don’t give him the advantage over us (1 Peter 5:8, 2 Corinthians 2:11). Discern and recognise the thoughts the devil drops into your mind. They are thoughts filled with doubt, worry, insecurity and discouragement that are designed to distract us from the truth about God and all the good things we have in Christ Jesus. In those moments where it feels hope is fading, begin to deliberately act in the opposite spirit. Instead of complaining, focus on what the word says about the faithfulness of God and begin to pray for and be a blessing to others. Very soon that cloud of discouragement will be replaced with a strong flow of God’s love and mercy, attracting His favour and blessing into your life! We turn the tables on the devil when we refuse to dwell on his distractions and actively move to be a blessing instead!