Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, And the end of joy may be grief.
Proverbs 14:13
To read a face is easy - but to read someone's heart is far more difficult. In today's proverb we learn that lesson. Even when someone is laughing - their heart may still be in pain. Just because someone paints a smile on their face - it does not always serve as a guarantee of what is happening in their hearts. We are also counselled that the end of joy may be grief. This is why we need to not read every person by what they showing on their faces.
I remember a brother in Christ who used to ask me how I was doing. One time I answered him that I was doing fine, even thought I was not on the inside. Then he looked at me and said, "Really how are you doing - and this time tell me the truth." It was then that I opened up to him and told him that I was not doing so good. He took the time to really know what was going on in my heart - and then took the time to minister to me. He was such a blessing in this way. Where others would just take things at face value and move on - he really did what to know what is going on in someone's life. It opened up a great deal of ministry for him.
There are times when we will have to get past the facade that people put on for us. If we do not, they will not open up and we will not be able to minister to their true situation. So do not be deceived, even by laughter and supposed joy and mirth. These can be real - but they can also be camouflage to keep people at an arm's length - when in reality they truly need someone to push through so that their pain can be addressed by the love of someone who truly cares.
Proverbs 14:13
To read a face is easy - but to read someone's heart is far more difficult. In today's proverb we learn that lesson. Even when someone is laughing - their heart may still be in pain. Just because someone paints a smile on their face - it does not always serve as a guarantee of what is happening in their hearts. We are also counselled that the end of joy may be grief. This is why we need to not read every person by what they showing on their faces.
I remember a brother in Christ who used to ask me how I was doing. One time I answered him that I was doing fine, even thought I was not on the inside. Then he looked at me and said, "Really how are you doing - and this time tell me the truth." It was then that I opened up to him and told him that I was not doing so good. He took the time to really know what was going on in my heart - and then took the time to minister to me. He was such a blessing in this way. Where others would just take things at face value and move on - he really did what to know what is going on in someone's life. It opened up a great deal of ministry for him.
There are times when we will have to get past the facade that people put on for us. If we do not, they will not open up and we will not be able to minister to their true situation. So do not be deceived, even by laughter and supposed joy and mirth. These can be real - but they can also be camouflage to keep people at an arm's length - when in reality they truly need someone to push through so that their pain can be addressed by the love of someone who truly cares.
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