It's Written All Over Your Face
PROVERBS DAILY—Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Proverbs 15:13
A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but by a painful heart the spirit is broken.
I’ll be honest—
I haven’t figured out whether it’s a blessing or a curse
to wear how I feel on my face.
You know people like this?
They can’t hide how they feel.
They’re not actors. They’re not liars.
They just carry their heart in their cheeks, their brow, their smile—or their scowl.
I have this... issue.
Or maybe it’s a gift.
I’ve been told I have a goofy smile—and I kinda do. I can’t help it. I got it from my daddy. He was one of eight brothers and his brothers gave him the name ‘doo da’ as in ‘doo da–doo da’...
Yea I got it from him…
But it’s because I genuinely feel good when I see people.
It’s become a habit over the years:
I see somebody and I call out their name… and say it with joy!
“Jose!! Bwhaa bwhaa bwhaa bwhaaaa! What’s up, man!”
That’s how I greet folks.
And one time, someone side-eyed me hard.
He said, “I don’t know if I can trust a brother who smiles all the time… Seems fake.”
Later, after he got to know me, he told me:
“Fred, I was wrong. That’s just you. That’s who you are.”
See, my face wasn’t hiding something.
It was revealing something.
Because what’s inside? Does comes out.
Like the scripture says in Proverbs 15:13:
“A joyful heart makes the face cheerful, but a painful heart crushes the spirit.”
🔬 Facial Feedback is Scientific.
Psychologists call it the Facial Feedback Hypothesis.
It’s the idea that your facial expressions don’t just reflect your emotions—they reinforce them.
💡 In other words:
Smiling can actually make you feel happier.
Not because you’re faking it—but because your nervous system responds to the motion you initiate.
A landmark study published in Psychological Science (2012) found that people who held a genuine smile (even if just by holding a pen in their teeth!) showed lower heart rates and faster stress recovery compared to those with neutral expressions.
You’re literally sending a message to your brain through your face:
“Hey, we’re good over here. Every little thing is gonna be alright.”
😐 Annndddd….On the Flip Side...
The second half of Proverbs 15:13 still is sobering:
“…a broken heart crushes the spirit.”
When the heart stays heavy, it begins to wear down the spirit.
And sometimes we don’t even realize— we’re wearing sadness.
We’re wearing anxiety.
We’re wearing hopelessness.
We’re wearing resentment.
And it crushes our spirit, dragging the whole atmosphere down.
🌞 But Here’s the Good News:
Hearts can be mended and frowns can be turned around
You can reset the vibe of your day yourself.
You don’t need a raise, a miracle, or another person to change your own atmosphere.
🪞 Sometimes it just starts with your face.
Look in the mirror.
Smile—on purpose.
Say your name out loud like it’s good news.
Say someone else’s name out loud like they matter.
Joy doesn’t need a permission slip.
Just consistent practice.
🪩 Remember:
Your face is a thermostat for your soul—so set it on joy.
Prayer
Lord, let my face reflect the joy You planted inside.
🎯 Today’s Challenge
Before you start scrolling, smiling, or even speaking—
Look in the mirror and practice smiling on purpose.
Then, greet one person today like you’re glad to see them.
And Joy will be written all over your face because you wrote it.
About the Author
Fred Lynch is a creative communicator, author, and Christian Hip Hop pioneer. To learn more about Fred and what he’s up to now…click here or you can find him in all the socials by searching the handle: heyfredlynch
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