By Callie Shiflett
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope… Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Acts 2:26,28
If someone mentions the phrase “a joyful person,” who immediately comes to your mind? The personable cashier at the grocery store yesterday? Your seemingly always smiling pastor's wife? Your best friend who can always make you laugh out loud?
Without having to rack your brain, someone specific automatically popped into your mind. Take a closer look at that kind of joyful person. Is she known for smiling because she is making fun of others or putting them down? Is she happy because the ladies at church complimented her costly new shoes? The answer is no, probably not.
The person you are thinking of is likely joyful because she has a great walk with the Lord and content through Him. Christ can give us that authentic joy that sets us apart from simply being “a smiley” person. When we have joy in His countenance, we can not help but show it our countenance! In the verses above, the heart is “rejoicing.” The tongue is “glad.” (For we ladies who love to talk and often catch ourselves discussing the negative, a glad tongue would be a miracle in and of itself.)
I mean, how happy would we be if we just simply “rested in hope”?
Christ’s countenance not only brings us joy, but it can also fill us with joy if we let it!
Through Him, we can experience the kind of joy that will show outwardly-not just when things go our way-and inwardly. It is only then that we can be that joyful person. The person who can sharpen and encourage the countenance of peers! (Proverbs 27:17)
Examine your heart. What if your friends and family were to read this? Would you be that joyful person that pops into their mind? How can you sharpen the countenance of a friend today? Write a small list of things your heart can rejoice about. Maybe share some blessings with a friend.
Warning: You will not be able to talk about all of your many blessings with a sad countenance!