SMILE AND WEAR A CHEERFUL COUNTENANCE

“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
Proverbs 15:13

What’s another word for a cheerful countenance?
It’s a smile.
Someone said the following about a smile:
It costs nothing, but creates a lot of good.
It enriches those who receive it without impoverishing those who give it away.
It happens in a flash, but the memory of it can last forever.
No one is so rich that he can get along without it.
No one is too poor to feel rich when receiving it.
It creates happiness in the home, fosters good will in business and is the counter sign of friends.
It is rest to the weary, daylight to the discouraged,
sunshine to the sad and nature’s best anecdote for trouble.
Yet it cannot be bought, begged, borrowed or stolen.
It is something of no earthly good to anyone until it is given away willingly.
A smile not only lifts the spirits of others,
but it also has a positive impact on your own spirit.
A smile communicates to others that you are pleased with how God has made you,
and that you appreciate His presence in your life, not matter what’s going on.

When you dress up in the morning, take a long look at yourself in the mirror.
Is your countenance pleasant and inviting, or is it stern and defensive?
We all have issues in our lives,
but have these issues found their way to your countenance?
If you saw someone with your countenance,
would you be attacted to them or would you choose to avoid them?

Now, try putting on a smile and don’t be ashamed of your sense of humor.
Unfortunately others can sometimes mis-interpret those with a sense of humor.
A sense of humor doesn’t mean you are not serious.
Many people with a great sense of humor are more sincere and
care more about others than those who have a serious countenance.
Those who are serious can tend to be judgmental,
selfish and “wear their feelings on their sleeves”,
but those with a sense of humor often care much more about others.
They hurt when they see others hurting
even though it may not show in their countenance.
Even though they may have their own issues, they often hide those feelings
because they don’t want to bring down those around them.
They have a big heart and enjoy seeing others smile.

What kind of countenance do you have?
Does it brighten the day for others or drive them away?
Do you need to change your attitude and countenance?