In looking at my posts over the past few weeks, I realized I was spending a lot of time talking about sadness, depression, worry and anxiety. Maybe that’s because life has changed for us drastically over the past couple years. I know that God is in control of everything we face as human beings. He directs us and has a grand plan for everyone, if we simply let Him do what He does and stop interfering. Tears are a form of release, but there’s much to be said for laughter as well.

Most of my life has been shielded by some kind of mask. Being an actress, a writer, a director, teacher, public speaker, encourager, requires a happy face that isn’t always available at the drop of a hat. How many times have you had to force that smile or cover your true inner feelings? I think we all have that problem. In fact, I believe that those who make others laugh are truly sad inside. Many comedians have fallen into the snare of anxiety.

As we travel this earth, we’ll run into all kinds of people. There are those we consider to be the life of the party – the class clown – the idea person – the brainstormer – the over achiever, but do we really know what’s going on in their hearts and minds?

There are so many distractions. For example, we’re inundated with fraud, falsehoods, fear mongers, naysayers and sensationalists – and that’s just on the nightly news. Our country is in the throes of political overload, so negativity, bullying and name calling is running rampant. The world is amping up for another war every day. Lives are being shortened by ill health, lies and things that incite us, but when you think about it, there is nothing we can do about that, other than to turn our backs on it or become involved in some positive way. Life goes on whether it’s filled with joy or sadness.

Putting on a happy face requires hard work too. It’s not just a way to cover up our inner feelings. Sometimes the search for joy is hard. All we can see is the dark side. Pushing those difficult things out of our minds requires strength, courage and determination, but most of all it depends on a higher power as its source. For me, it requires me to turn to God and ask for His help. He alone can heal a broken heart. He can lead us in the right direction. He gives us the greatest joy of all – the promise of eternal life and joy everlasting. As we wait for that day, let’s open our hearts to every opportunity to help others. Doing so will give us more joy than we can ever imagine.