How do you keep smiling?

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13

I love this bible verse and if you have been in the church or a follower of Christ for any period of time, I am sure you have heard it. It has to be one of the most notable verses, besides John 3:16. It’s honestly probably the only bible verse I can quote word for word. I have written it down so many times and read it over and over; you would think I could spell Philippians without looking at it, but I can’t. Every time I write it down, I have to look, are there two “l’s” or two “p’s” in the middle? Anyway, the point I want to make is, this verse, it should be as popular as it is. There is truth and power to it, especially when anxiety, hurt, and worry come our way. But, what does it even mean? How does Christ strengthen me?

Growing up and going through changes in life, I relied on this verse a lot, but I don’t think I understood the full impact until sometime after college. Along my walk with Jesus, I started praying to God every morning. It has become the first thing I do when I wake up. I do it because I know that my day will be faced with challenge, I know that this world can easily overcome my thoughts and feelings and this simple prayer I pray grounds me and it is what truly gives me strength. I simply say, “Help me to love you more God and love your people more.” There are days where there is more to it than that, but some days it is just that simple. I am asking God for the strength and the reminders along the way to love Him and to love His people more.

The other day, when I was bartending at my favorite place of employment, Charlie’s, one of the guys that is there all the time was chatting with me. He said, “I don’t know how you all can walk around with smiles on your face every time you are working. When you deal with difficult customers, you still are smiling.” Through our conversation, he also went on to add something about being a teacher and all we endure in that profession. My reaction to what he had to say? Well, naturally, I smiled and then I went on to say something about how I choose to focus on all the good interactions and all the kindness and love that I see from other people. Which is true, but if I could go back, I would have quoted this bible verse:

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself to me. Galations 2:20

Quoting scripture and speaking to my faith is an uncomfortable thing for me and I am not quite there in my journey with God. I would have liked to have quoted this bible verse because that is the ultimate truth. I don’t have to go into details of what a horrific year of teaching last year was because we all experienced it to an extent. I don’t have to spare you the details of what rude customers have said to me because we have all experienced rude people. And I am not saying I am perfect. I lose my temper, I get frustrated, I vent and I judge others like the rest of us. But, how do I let things go? How do I keep smiling? Because it is Christ in me. When I accepted Jesus into my life, He began a work in me. He began changing my heart, changing me from the inside out. And the best part? He is STILL at work in me today. He is still teaching me how to love Him more and love His people more.

With love and blessings,