It was a humbling experience for me as a freshman in college. I had my group of friends that I hung out with and we always had a good time. I always enjoyed having a good laugh with those around me, but on this particular day I went a little too far. You see, on this particular day one of the girls in our group decided to wear a darker colored shade eye-shadow. Which normally would not be a problem, but to me it stood out. As we all got together for school that morning I looked at this young lady, and trying to make a funny comment that everyone would laugh at, I said, "It looks like someone took a boxing glove to your eyes." I might as well have said, "what is wrong with your face?" because that's how the comment came across. She walked away and I felt horrible...I should have kept my big mouth shut. I quickly went and found her and apologized for my insensitive comment.
This morning I came across a verse that reminded me of that phrase, "What is wrong with your face."
Psalm 43:5 Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
I could almost hear the writer say to himself: What is wrong with my face??
We can let this happen to us so often. We let the disappointments of life, the current trials, the present loneliness or the deepening hurt to affect our countenance. The people around us can tell when something is going on, because we wear our emotions on our face. When things are good, we are happy; but when things are bad, everyone can tell by looking at our face.
It can be a difficult thing to have victory over. We can't help but have pity on ourselves in our current state...but is that how we ought to act as a child of God?
The answer to fixing our face is found in that same verse: Praise Him
We must turn our attention from ourselves and to our God if we are to have victory in this area. The verse literally tells us that God is the health or the vibrancy of our countenance. When we decide to give praise instead of take pity we will see that frown turn upside down.
Pity = Sad/Mad Countenance
Praise = Glad Countenance
Is God looking down at your countenance today and asking, "What is wrong with your face?"
I hope this is an encouragement to you today. Remember that no matter what you are going through, it is possible to smile through it all because He is the health of our countenance and our God!
Take Pity? Or Give Praise?
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