When I was a kid, probably more specifically a teenager, I remember my mom constantly reminding me to smile. It drove me nuts. Why smile when I wasn't feeling happy? I had a whole rainbow of emotions: indifference, irritation, satisfaction, boredom, insolence, curiosity, contentment. According to my teenage self, only happiness called for a smile. The rest just didn't matter, and I could keep my countenance on any random expression.
The older I've become, the more I've realized how right she actually was. For your viewing pleasure, I Googled scowls and came up with these beauties:
We all know people who look like that, who instead of emanating joy, emanate something——well, other. Furrowed eyebrows and downturned lips eventually turn to permanently etched scowls that have absolutely nothing to do with their moods.
It's as if their default setting has been turned from joy to hopelessness, from peace to dissatisfaction. Regardless of whether the look is intentional, it creates an uninviting persona, the idea that the person is unapproachable. It gives the observer an idea of what their outlook is.
As Christians, we have so many reasons to be joyful. Even in our troubles, we have a hope for the future, and expectation and knowledge that things will turn out right in the end:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (Psalm 30:11).
"Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord; the needy will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel"The older I've become, the more I've realized how right she actually was. For your viewing pleasure, I Googled scowls and came up with these beauties:
We all know people who look like that, who instead of emanating joy, emanate something——well, other. Furrowed eyebrows and downturned lips eventually turn to permanently etched scowls that have absolutely nothing to do with their moods.
It's as if their default setting has been turned from joy to hopelessness, from peace to dissatisfaction. Regardless of whether the look is intentional, it creates an uninviting persona, the idea that the person is unapproachable. It gives the observer an idea of what their outlook is.
As Christians, we have so many reasons to be joyful. Even in our troubles, we have a hope for the future, and expectation and knowledge that things will turn out right in the end:
"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).
"You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy" (Psalm 30:11).
(Isaiah 29:19).
So, my friends, today I'm giving you (and me) some homework. When you glance into the mirror, check out your default setting. Is it set at joy, or are does it appear that you waiting for something bad to happen? What impression of the Christian life do you want others to see?