Have you ever felt so heavy-hearted that smiling hurts? You know. It's as if your mouth has somehow attached itself to ten tons of bricks causing it to dip dangerously into a painfully pitiful position.

Now, I'm not referring to situations of real grief. Obviously, we aren't expected to walk around with a big perma grin in the midst of atrocious circumstances. Although, even then, we can find a mustard seed of faith and godly joy. But that's not what I'm talking about. Oh no. These are times when something hasn't gone your way, or you wake up with sourpuss expression for, well, for no particular reason at all. Just because. Just because its raining; you bounced a check (believe me, I know that can cause issues); you forgot an important deadline; you (ladies) have PMS; your kids are driving you bonkers ... the list could easily go on forever.

In other words, the daily irritants we all face can lead to a rather grumpy disposition. Grumpy dispositions lead to groaning and growling at anyone in our vicinity. For me, I start sharpening my claws of unkindness, after all, misery begets more misery.

The question for those of us who prefer to follow God's direction for living, thus remaining in His joy, is how to find a way to retract our claws and remove those ten ton bricks from our sagging faces. It can be helpful to remember that when we are in this ghastly mode of operation we don't look our best.

Like this silly graphic, we, too, can display an array of not so colorful faces to the world. Some of them less appealing than others. So what can we do?

One day I was so frustrated. Of course, now, I can't even remember why. I was roaring through my day like a mile-wide tornado demolishing any good feelings that I whirled by. I was like the cyclone of doom. Frowning. Short answers. Squinty eyes. Ug. Finally, some bold (suicidal, death wishing) person kindly asked me how I was doing. She happened to ask in a such a way I could tell that she actually cared.

We all now the difference between, "Tell me how you are but don't waste my time" and "tell me how you are; truly, I value you and what you're experiencing." Thankfully, for this brave (crazy) soul they were in the second catagory. By that time, I'd almost forgotten the real reson for my negative attitude. I just knew I was mad .... because.

After a soothing conversation, I realized I was setting a pitiful example of Christ's love to the watching world. And believe me, friends, today, they're watching more than ever. "Look at Carol. She's suppossed to be a Christian but she's marching around like a spoiled brat." Ouch! Can anyone relate?

Now granted, I still FELT a bit down in the muck, but that didn't mean I continued to act like it. I started a mental checklist of all the reasons I had to be thankful. Then I forced (yes, it felt unnatural at first) myself to smile and start acting like "suitable" citizen. Amazingly, a short time later, my feelings had improved dramatically and I was experiencing a whole new day with a brand new attitude. Wow!

We can change our ways. It's a choice. We can choose how we respond to our annoying experiences. We can decide to cuddle up to them, or, send em sailing the other direction. Sometimes we need the help of another person to redirect our day. For me that was my turning point. Other times, we simply must determine to behave differently, according to God's standards. We have every reason to be joyful. If you can't think of any, maybe it's time to embark on a study of God's precious promises to you. There are many.

The age-old truth that a smile is good medicine is so true. Add a little laughter and you have a recipe for a good day. So, what are you waiting for. Ready, set, smile!

Check out God's promises to you at: http://www.olivebranch.com/promises/promises.htm

http://www.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2994717/k.9C49/Gods_Promises.htm