Choosing to smile authentically, and even bringing a smile to someone else's face, can be a truly good thing, when the time and place are right. It's all about seeing a smile as something positive, a way to lift your own spirits and maybe even help someone else along the way.
Of course, too much of anything isn't good. There's a sweet spot between being overly serious and plastering on a fake smile. It's a balance where wisdom and joy, seriousness and a genuine smile can exist together beautifully. Everything has its time and place.
Laughter is an expression of the freedom Christ gave us through his loving sacrifice. And a heartfelt smile can be incredibly healing, especially for a hurting heart. Smiling through pain and rejoicing in your Creator – that’s what God wants for you, always.
I don't know what you're going through right now, but I want to encourage you to dry your tears, lift your head, and smile again. Because in Jesus, you have so much to be joyful about.
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete.
You should be joyful at all times.Never stop praying.Thank [God] for everything, for this is what God wants for you in [the fellowship of] Christ Jesus.
Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way.
“In addition, when you fast [i.e., go without food and/or drink for religious reasons], do not be like the hypocrites with long faces; for they go around with gloomy expressions on their faces in order to advertise that they are fasting. It is true when I say to you; these people have [already] received their reward.But when you fast, groom your hair and wash your faceso that people will not see that you are fasting, but [only] your Father who is in secret [will know about it]. For, [since] He sees [what is done] in secret, He will repay you.
[Upon His arrival] they brought to Him a man afflicted with a paralytic disease, [being carried on his cot. See Mark 2:3]. When Jesus saw [the evidence of] their faith [i.e., the man’s four friends breaking open the roof and lowering him through it. See Mark 2:4-5], He said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up, your sins are forgiven.”
His master replied, ‘Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, so I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master’s joy.’
So, they left the grave site quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to give the message to His disciples.
Those of you who now have an appetite [i.e., for doing what is right] are blessed, because you will be satisfied [eventually]. Those of you who cry now [i.e., over your sins] are blessed, because you will laugh [i.e., when you are forgiven later].
Nevertheless, do not rejoice over the [evil] spirits submitting to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven [i.e., in the book of life. See Rev. 3:5; Heb. 12:23].”
I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.
In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels [i.e., in heaven (?)] over one sinful person who repents.”
Truly, truly, I tell you, you will cry and mourn [i.e., over my suffering and death], but the world will be glad [about it]. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn to joy [i.e., when learning of my resurrection].
So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy.
But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things [while still] in the world, so that they [i.e., the apostles] may have my joy within them in all its fullness.
You have made known to me what life is all about. You will make me completely happy by your very presence.’
But the [newly won] disciples [of the Lord] were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance;and endurance [produces God’s] approval; and [His] approval [produces] hope.
Be joyful as you hope [i.e., for future blessings]. Persevere in spite of the troubles you experience. Continue steadfastly in prayer.
For God’s kingdom is not a matter of what people eat or drink, but [instead, it is a matter] of doing what is right, having peace [of heart] and having [inner] joy, which come from the Holy Spirit.
May God, [the source] of hope, fill you with complete joy and peace as you believe [in Christ], so that you may have an abundance of hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
[Love] is not glad about the evil [that people do], but is glad about the truth [i.e., the good in their lives].
I have great confidence in talking to you; I have great pride in you and I am full of encouragement [over you] In all of our troubles I am overflowing with joy.
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against [practicing] these things.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These “same things” may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].
And [when you do], the peace from God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and thoughts [from anxiety] in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus.
[We also pray that you will be] strengthened with great power, according to God’s glorious might, so that you will have great endurance and patience [coupled] with joy.
You should let the message of Christ live in you abundantly [i.e., as individuals and collectively]. Use [much] wisdom in teaching and warning one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing with favor [i.e., with thankfulness] in your hearts toward God.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. [And even though] you suffered much affliction, you welcomed the message with joy [given to you] by the Holy Spirit,
Remembering how you cried [Note: This was probably when Paul and Timothy last parted], I long to see you [again], so that I can be filled with joy.
We should fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the [or, “our”] faith. [Note: Jesus is here pictured as the one who completely fulfills the life of faith, or who provides us with the ability to live such a life]. [And] because He could look forward to joy, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right side of God’s throne.
Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials,because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.
Is there anyone among you who is suffering? [If so], he should pray. Is anyone happy? [Then] he should sing a psalm.
Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy.
You should rejoice that you are sharing some of what Christ has suffered, so that you will get to rejoice all the more when He returns in His splendor.
We are writing to you about these things, so that [together] our joy may be [completely] full.
Finally, brothers, give [careful] thought to these things: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovable, and whatever is commendable. If it is excellent; if it is praiseworthy; [think about it].