Whenever I am put in a position to encourage someone, I am instantly taken back to a time in my life, where I was so low and discouraged, I didn't think I was going to pull through. I was so disenchanted and extremely sad in my spirit, although my outward man displayed a different characteristic. I was faking it. My heart hurt and my mind didn't know what to do. I can't pinpoint my lowly state to just one thing because it was a mix of things, situations, and occurrences.

What I remember most about being in that place, was how terrible I felt and how badly I wanted to be released. My spirit was troubled and needed complete deliverance. I began to find encouragement in the word of God; whether from my own self studies or across a pulpit in church. It was by no means easy to encourage myself and allow God to lift me up. Although I couldn't pinpoint the problem, I was the one trying to solve it. I was going about in my own way besides letting God have His way.

So when I am in a position to encourage someone, like you today, I say, "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." (2 Chronicles 20:17). Even though it does not feel like it, God is nigh and He is going to step in and send a change your way. 

It is not God's will for you or me to be troubled in our spirit and disconnected from the joy and abundant life that He has for us (John 10:10). Words can be so much easier said than done, but God is able and God will do it. Besides faking it, I had to learn to faith it! I had to call those things that were not as though they were. You have to call those things that be not as though they were!(Romans 4:17). Go ahead, try it.