IS THERE SOMETHING IN MY TEETH?

“We put on a fake smile to hide the pain, yet we wish someone would look closely enough and see how broken we really are inside.” (unknown)

There is just something about a nice smile. A smile can light up an entire room and it can make others around you feel great! A smile has even been said to be contagious!

Have you ever had that moment when you went to share your smile with others and realized you had that ever so large piece of pepper or food located right in the middle of your smile! Don’t you just love when that happens? No! None of us do.  Sometimes you are with that friend who will tell you and then other times you never know until you glance in the mirror. Either way it’s not your favorite moment.

As I was thinking about the smiles that we share with others I read a quote (author unknown) that stated that we keep thousands of feelings behind our smiles! Wow! Isn’t that the truth!  So many times we smile, yet inside the emotions and the situations that we are facing are running rampant. Nothing wrong with that, with God’s help we should be able to smile with joy even in the face of all the trials this life brings because the Lord is our strength and joy!

 But on the other hand, wouldn't it be great if we as a body of believers did not have to feel as though we had to HIDE behind our smile. That we could go to each other for encouragement and strength and not have to feel that we have to wear a mask that says everything is “OK”.  Keep smiling, but know that God does not expect us to walk around hiding behind a smile.  Actually, if we can talk about the blemishes in our smile, then we can find help, healing, and joy.

1 Thess. 5:11 reminds us to encourage one another and build one another up.

I also read that behind the smile and beneath the laughter often times many are really sad and tired. They are hurt and feel alone. Many feel they are losing control and really are afraid.

If we were all honest today, we would probably all agree to the fact that behind closed doors our smile can fade quickly as we yield to those feelings of doubt, loneliness, fear, hopelessness, and more that can flood our lives.

Psalm 16:8-9 I have set the Lord always before me, because he is at my right hand I shall not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.

May God help our smiles to shine forth for His glory from the inside out!  You don’t have to hide behind your smile and I pray that God will send those friends your way that aren’t afraid to speak into your life even when you have something in your teeth when trying to smile!!

I pray God encourages you through these words today! Keep smiling, you are beautiful, but take off the mask and smile with an exceeding joy that comes from knowing the abundant life that is so freely given to each of us!

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