Just this morning, I opened an email from an online merchant. Its peppy message meant to encourage me: "We just want you know today that you're enough. You've got this!"

Funny, but I didn't feel that way when my temper flared on a busy day last week. I didn't notice this special empowerment in my darkened mood following an argument. I wasn't feeling "enough" when I received a rejection letter. But don't worry— I've got this!

We encounter these kinds of well-meaning platitudes all the time. Most of us don't take it too seriously; but inside, we've internalized their lies. In fact, these snake oils for discouraged hearts create a dangerous illusion of self-sufficiency. We are therefore talented, smart, virtuous, deserving, and fabulous—is there anything we can't do?Escott, Phi