From; Brenda Walsh Ministries
Smiling Through the Tears
Smiling doesn’t necessarily mean you are happy and everything is going great. It may just mean that you are strong and can keep a cheerful disposition even in the midst of your distress. Smiling through tears can be a sign of strength and determination as well as a way to hide a lot of pain. People are like tea bags - you never know how strong they are until they get into hot water. It’s when trouble strikes that you find your real strength is in Jesus. Often, the smile fades behind closed doors when your body is tired, you’re exhausted from a stressful week, and you’re emotionally drained with no clue how you’ll face tomorrow. But don’t give up, because there is hope! Seek strength from God by claiming His promise in Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” It is with God’s strength that Paul and Silas were able to smile and, yes, sing songs of praise in the midst of the damp, dark dungeon . . . though they were severely flogged, which left them bruised and bleeding. But even as their bodies ached in excruciating pain, Acts 16:25 tells us, “Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Wow! Imagine that! And the best part is . . . God will do that for you! He will give you His strength. God knows just what you need to get you through every situation with a heart full of joy so you can smile through the tears, leaning completely on Him for your courage and strength. Isaiah 40:29-31 gives this promise: “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Text: Romans 5:3-4, Matthew 5:12, Job 9:27, Proverbs 15:13-15