Put on a Happy Face?

Dick Van Dyke famously sang this song in the musical "Bye Bye Birdie". It's true that our choice to think positive can have a big impact on our outlook on life and even turn things for the better. But there's a danger in not dealing with our real emotions in an honest way. Christians have the wonderful presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives who brings us confidence in God's care and the supernatural peace He offers in place of our anxieties (Philippians 4:6-7), but that doesn't mean we don't experience pain in life. 

The big problem is when we give into the pressure we feel to "put on our smiley face mask" when we come together with other Christians. It's tempting to not be completely honest about what we're really experiencing since we may feel it's "un-Christian" to be fearful, angry, doubting, and in pain. Where's our faith?

The good news of God's grace and love for us is that he welcomes us just as we are with whatever emotions we're feeling. Our prayers don't need to be "sanitized" - just honestly communicated to God.  That's what many of the Psalms do and they include expressions of deep pain.


This Sunday we'll be looking at one of the "songs of pain" as found in Psalm 13.  Many people in our community are feeling similarly in the midst of the threats and tragedies of the past few weeks.  God promises to not only accept our honesty, but to be with us and bring us through the pain.  I hope you'll be able to join us and unite with those in pain.