Proverbs 14:13 – “Even in laughter the heart may be in pain, and the end of joy may be grief.”  NASU

In the late 40’s the song “Laughing on the Outside (Crying on the Inside)” was a popular number and conveys an idea that has long been with people and I have preached using it in a two-fold manner.  One was to talk about “wearing masks” and the other was that “what you see is not always what you get.”  I have learned that a smile on a face does not necessarily mean joy in the heart and some people are quite adept at hiding what is really going on inside.

The lyrics of the song written by Ben Raleigh, published in 1946 are:

“The crowd sees me out dancing carefree and romancing. HHappy with my, someone new.  I’m laughing on the outside, crying on the inside ’cause I’m still in love with you.  They see me night and daytime having such a gay time.  They don’t know what I go through.  I’m laughing on the outside, crying on the inside ’cause I’m still in love with you.  No one knows it’s just a pose, pretending I’m glad we’re apart.  And when I cry, my eyes are dry the tears are in my heart.  My darling, can’t we make up?  Ever since our breakup make believe is all I do.  I’m laughing on the outside, crying on the inside ’cause I’m still in love with you.  I am still in love with you.”

             Sadly that is a picture of many people possibly millions every day where they pretend and put on a happy face when inside their world is falling apart.  That’s what the writer of Proverbs is talking about.  The sound of laughter may only be a front and what appears to be joy and gladness is really hiding their deep pain.  Although many people are not very good at hiding their feelings, some are.  However, if we are attentive to moods and words as well as the nudging of the Holy Spirit we can detect when something is a front.

I saw a report from a Psychologist that 10% of Americans suffer from depression daily.  I sometimes wonder if that figure is low considering what is happening in our world today.  One of the key characteristics of depression is sadness and that external smile is nothing more than a defense mechanism and an attempt to keep everyone at arms, length.  It is truly a mask because in the state of depression the depressed does not want anyone to know the true condition of their heart or life.  They feel exposed if someone gets too near and fear further rejection as a result.  If that condition continues long-term it could end up with thoughts of suicide out of a sense of hopelessness.

An Evangelist came to a local congregation and in the time of ministering to personal needs at the conclusion of the service, a woman came forward who was clearly depressed.  She had a smile on her face but you could tell it was a façade and her heart was breaking.  The Evangelist tuned into that and as she began to break down and tell us what was happening in her life, he suddenly said, “You just need to resist the devil and handle it,” then turned and walked away.  That, in my view, is shocking.  This woman was already feeling incredible rejection and condemnation and telling her to just “buck it up” and “deal with it” was like pouring gasoline on a fire, in my view.  It was easy to see by the look in her eyes she was near the point of no return and the outcome was not going to be positive unless dealt with in love and with the power of God.  A loving and understanding lady came to her, put her arms around her and began to pray softly and gently with this crushed soul.  After a time, she related her own battle with depression and in sharing a light came on inside the depressed lady and she began to weep.  As she wept she was able to remove the mask and receive the love and healing of the LORD and able to forgive those who had shattered her life.  She walked out of that service in victory because someone took the time to listen, love, and pray.  There are some things in our Christian walk that we cannot just “buck it up”, “get a stiff upper lip” and “deal with” we need someone to love us, not sympathize with us and guide us to the ONLY ONE who can remove the pain and sorrow.  As I reflect on that I think, “But for the grace of God…” 

            God bless you as you embark on today’s journey and I pray He will use you as instruments of healing on this day!