Happy Faces

Read Proverbs 15

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:13

It seems so obvious—why make it a proverb? When people’s hearts are light and joyful, their faces reflect happiness; when people are sorrowful and brokenhearted, their spirits are crushed. While this may be true, does it have to be that way all the time?

The author may want us to consider how we react to the situations that come into our lives. It’s easy to be happy when our hearts are glad; it’s much more difficult to reflect deep joy when we are hurting. Yet all of us experience hurt, sorrow, and grief in our lives at one time or another. While we are not called to be happy about our difficulties, we can still reflect an attitude of strength and faith in God, refusing to let our circumstances crush our spirits. Such an attitude understands God’s love and sovereignty and trusts him to be a “rock and fortress” through times of difficulty.

A WORD FOR TODAY

You externals will reveal your internals.

Lord, may my face reflect my love for and faith in you, regardless of my circumstances.