How to Fight a Frown!

“You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down.” – Charles "Charlie" Chaplin

I wonder if the thorn in the Apostle Paul’s side was a demon called allergies. With prayers, medicine, shots, and more those pesky allergies get beaten but relentlessly return. If you suffer from this same thorn, you know about the constant nasal drip, coughing, sneezing, puffy eyes and more. And, like clockwork, allergies flaunt their ugly head at the most inopportune time.  My son, unfortunately, suffers from allergies. He’s not allergic to a type of food or beverage, however his body has the most adverse affects to major climate changes and invisible floating particles that appear during the change in seasons.

As we were making our morning commute to school, I heard a loud and moist sneeze. I turned around and saw two globs of snot similar to a blonde Pipi Longstocking’s braids hanging below his nostrils.  DISGUSTING!

He let out a boisterous laugh then said, “Daddy, look at my moustache!”

I couldn’t help but laugh with him. (And wipe his nose)

Life is full of embarrassing moments that make us want to cower and disappear. Yet, its how we handle mistakes and unfortunate moments that make a difference. We cannot effectively predict every circumstance or their frequency but we can choose how we respond.

Proverbs 15:13-15 (NASB)

13 A joyful heart makes a [a]cheerful face, But [b]when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. 14 The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge,

But the mouth of fools feeds on folly. 15 All the days of the afflicted are bad,

But a [c]cheerful heart has a continual feast.

“We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.”

― Oscar Wilde

Here are three ways to fight a frown!

1. Feed your heart with good things

The bible teaches that we speak what is on our hearts and that our face is a mirror to our heart as well. There are a lot of people who speak beautifully but look horrendous. In order to keep our face and our mouth in check we need to feast on what makes us smile internally and externally. We have bad days but we have a GREAT GOD that is on our side. As your attitude falls, raise your spirit with the Joy of the Lord. Keep pictures that make you smile in immediate access, put notes of encouragement (in your wallet, on your bathroom mirror, on your refrigerator and on your car radio).

2. Feed your mind with good things

Too many things have access to our minds. Turn off what discourages you and seek things that encourage you spiritually, physically, and emotionally. There is a reason I don’t listen to slow jams in the gym – I need upbeat music to keep my pace and rhythm. Listen to spiritually encouraging music and read God’s promises throughout your day. Commit to waking up with a scripture (verse of the day by the Youversion App) and at least listen to something encouraging on your morning commute. In the rhythm of life, feed your mind with what keeps you on pace with positive accomplishment.

3. Stay Hydrated!

The body can survive without food for days but will suffer swiftly without water. John 4:14, (NLT)

“But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life." Water is a great source for cleansing and maintaining good health. Having a real relationship with God and knowing His Son, Jesus, is like carrying a Camelbak backpack that never runs dry. If you are feeling unfulfilled and consistently down it may be your diet. Try removing some foods/habits from your diet through a fast and passionately seek God during that time. Often we will discover during a fast that there are certain things we can completely survive without. After your fast continue your constant consumption of water/God’s word for maintenance and good health.

PROVERBS 17:22

A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

Instead of hiding in the shadow of your failures – stand on the victory that your mistakes and embarrassing moments have taught you, seek the best responses, and laugh.

Laugh at your self.

Laugh with others not at others.

Laugh out loud often.

Even the toughest seasons have an expiration date.