Behind the Smile
"All it takes is a beautiful fake smile to hide an injured soul." - Robin Williams
A smile can say a lot about a person. I think most would agree that a smile is universally symbolic for joy and happiness. While some may use it as a greeting, or an attempt to brighten someone’s day, not many people beg the following question. What goes on behind the smile?
I chose to use the quote by the late Robin Williams above for a few reasons. One, Robin Williams was known for his contagious smile and the joy he was able to bring to people’s lives. Secondly, he seemed to be happy himself, yet suffered from severe depression and nobody even knew, until it was too late. Lastly, because he brings up a good point: a fake smile can be used by people who are hurting.
This is a tough, but necessary post. I prayed multiple times before writing this entry, and this is actually my second time typing this entry because the first one was deleted and could not be recovered. Satan must not want this message of hope to be shared— too bad.
Life is tough. I am a very optimistic person. In the midst of this post, I also need to be vulnerable. Sometimes I convince myself that I am not allowed to have bad days. I tell myself that I have to come across like I have it all together, when in reality sometimes I am carrying a burden that feels as if it’s a ton of bricks. I prefer to fake it until I make it, typically. However, recently, my college mentor and I sat down and had a really good discussion challenging each other to begin reading the book of Ecclesiastes. It only took about 10 minutes to get to a truth I have heard often, but not resonated with, until this day.
I read,
“For everything there is a season, time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest. A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance. A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. A time to embrace and a time to turn away. A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”
God is the Creator. God is the Creator of emotions. It is okay to feel joy, but it is also okay to feel sorrow. It is okay to laugh, but it is also okay to cry.
Think about this for example. A farmer who is preparing for a season of growth has to go through a lot before he is able to harvest.
First, the farmer must till— preparing the land for seed.
Secondly, the farmer must plant— making sure the seed can take root and receive proper nutrients from the ground.
Next, the farmer watches the seed begin to grow— rejoicing in the progress.
Finally, the farmer sees the seed bear fruit— a reward of the plant as it now thrives in the environment it was placed in.
If we apply that illustration to our own lives, we realize that fruition does not come without struggle and time. The farmer literally has to cover the seed in the ground. For a moment, all is dark, and by simply looking at it, all hope seems lost. However, because the seed struggles, it is able to take deeper roots. Deepening roots could mean finding steadfast and encouraging people in your life and clinging to them. Once you ground yourself, you begin to change, grow, and develop into the person God is calling you to be in the midst of the trials and struggles. Finally, you will see the fruit of your faithfulness as you thrive in the environment God has placed you in.
“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”
I decided to be real with myself. What is behind my smile?
Behind my fake smile (the one I tend to give when I have a bad day) is fear, shame, guilt — things most of us have. It is important to realize that we were never designed to carry fear, shame, and guilt. God asks us to take all of those to the cross and to lay them at His feet. Whatever struggle you are going through right now, I pray you are able to cast it at the feet of Jesus because He cares for you and will comfort you in the midst of your struggle and brokenness.
But what is more important the things behind my real, authentic smile.
Behind my smile is
my Savior who loves me in the midst of my brokenness
my family who will ALWAYS be there for me
my amazing girlfriend, Aspyn Lee, one of the greatest blessings God has ever given me
my friends for being willing to walk through life with me side by side
my mentors who pour so much time and devotion into me
my church for creating an environment where I can be challenged and grow
my college for giving me opportunities I would not otherwise have
Next time you see someone smiling, just remember that their smile is a part of their story. You have an opportunity to listen to their story. You have an opportunity to be the love of Jesus.
Let your smile change the course of other people’s day; don’t let their day change your smile.
You are so loved! Until next time,
-LM
