There are going to be days when you don’t have much to smile about. Days when, if you do smile, people will wonder why you are. Those are the days when you need to smile the most. Getting over a hurdle can be more than a physical obligation. It takes every ounce of courage and faith you can muster. The problem arises when you lose that smile and fall into a deep depression. It’s so much harder to pick yourself up and start over again.

God gives us a reason to be joyful even when we don’t always feel that way. He has given us His gifts of grace, love, peace, confidence and faith. He walks with us through our darkest hours and is there to encourage us through each of them. He knows the pain of sorrow and sadness. He gave up His throne in heaven for a while, so that He could experience every one of those emotions. His compassion for us is endless, even when it looks like He may not be at hand to answer our prayers. He is always available. He will never leave us. He will protect, defend and comfort us in our times of need.

We do have many reasons not to lose that smile of ours. It tells a lot about us. We are loved. We are one with our Creator. We are assured a home in heaven for eternity. What don’t we have to smile about?