Proverbs 15:12-14

The scorner does not love one who corrects him;
he will not go to the wise.
A joyful heart makes the face cheerful,
but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.
The discerning heart seeks knowledge,
but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

Life can be hard. There is no question about it. And while I would argue that in most ways, we have life pretty good as those who are able to afford the technology to be able to read blogs posts such as these, there are ways in which we are all on the same playing field. Regardless of any kind of status and classification we might use to label us.

The great commonality is that we all experience heartache. Especially when it comes to the loss of a loved one. But, even apart from that, we all experience things in life that break our hearts.

I know there have been times in my life when I have gone through something and the condition of my heart made the rest of my life very difficult to enjoy. When we were going through the uncertainty of finding a new job and all the stress that arises when your financial security is gone, It was very difficult to arouse a sincere smile on my face.

I remember some encounters with trusted friends, that when asked how I was doing, I responded that I was doing alright. But they could tell by the lack of cheer in my face that I wasn’t doing as well as an alright.

When you have pain in your heart, it can crush your spirit. And when your spirit is crushed it can be hard to hide your sadness.

Wherever you find yourself today, I hope you take comfort in the fact that when your heart is broken, you are experiencing a feeling that every human being has and will experience. Not that we want to draw comfort from others’ grief, but sometimes knowing that others hurt is comforting. I have hurt and will hurt again.

But rest assured, there will be a day when your face will be cheerful again. And not by force, but because your heart is happy and you just can’t help but smile. When your heart is broken, that seems impossible and like a million miles away. But, the day will come when your sadness will be replaced with joy. And when you do, be thankful. Draw strength from those times, because you will experience pain again. But, as sure as you experience pain, you will experience joy.

Remember that song you sang when you were a kid?

“If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands. If you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it, if you’re happy and you know it clap your hands.”