Satan's craft is most successfully used against those who are depressed. When discouragement threatens to overwhelm the minister, let him spread out before God his necessities. It was when the heavens were as brass over Paul that he trusted most fully in God. More than most men, he knew the meaning of affliction; but listen to his triumphant cry as, beset by temptation and conflict, his feet press heavenward: "Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." 2 Corinthians 4:17, 18. Paul's eyes were ever fastened on the unseen and eternal. Realizing that he was fighting against supernatural powers, he placed this dependence on God, and in this lay his strength. It is by seeing Him who is invisible that strength and vigor of soul are gained and the power of earth over mind and character is broken.

Satan har størst held med sit bedrag, når han benytter det mod de nedtrykte. Når mismodet truer med at overvælde prædikanten, bør han komme til Gud med sine bekymringer. Det var, dengang alt så sort ud for Paulus, at hans tillid til Gud var størst. Han kendte mere til lidelse end de fleste mennesker, men hør blot hans triumfråb, da han omringet af fristelser og strid haster fremad mod Himmelen: "Thi vor trængsel, der er stakket og let, virker uden mål og måde en evig vægt af herlighed for os, som ikke har blikket rettet mod de synlige ting, men mod de usynlige." 2Kor. 4,17-18. Paulus blik var stadig rettet mod det usynlige og evige. Han forstod, at han kæmpede mod overnaturlige kræfter og derfor satte han sin lid til Gud og heri bestod hans styrke. Det er ved at se ham, som er usynlig, at der vindes kraft og styrke for sjælen og at verdens magt over sjæl og sind bliver brudt.