What can carry me?

Who’s your joy-stealer or your biggest aggravation? Whoever, or whatever it is, here’s an exercise to help you. I heard this from a brain health expert on a webinar I attended. He said this exercise can instantly change our brain chemistry, and can be done while sitting in a recliner or anywhere else.

Here it is—curl up the corners of your mouth. Try it. The more we don’t feel like doing it, the more we need it. My first thought about this was, No, I don’t want to be a fake. I don’t want to smile unless it’s sincere. I discovered, though, that when I “do the curl” I do feel better. It’s like looking up instead of down. It reminds me I’m not in charge of anything—except my own responses.

One way I’ve experienced an awareness of the presence of God’s Holy Spirit inside me has been when He caused my mouth corners to curl. Remembering His blessings, especially His scandalous, gracious love for me, makes me smile. Whenever I sing praises to Him, encouragement replaces my biggest enemies, which are usually discouragement or worries. Focusing on all His good news in His Word shrinks the bad news down to its proper size in comparison to Him and all His unimaginable generosity.

Lip curls. Who knew? Jesus has been curling up my lip corners and washing out my eyes with good tears for almost 38 years. The Bible says, “those who look to Him are radiant, and their faces will never be covered with shame or confusion.” Welcome to His free beauty spa and gym. He has paid all your fees.