(箴言 15:13)
“心中喜樂，面帶笑容．心裡憂愁，靈被損傷。”
經文用了一個非常強烈的對比。在希伯來文化中，心是情感與意志的核心，當一個人內在充滿喜樂，這種能量會自然地美化他的面容。希伯來原文中的臉字是複數，代表我們生命有多個面向，而喜樂能令所有面向都非常美麗。
我們常想在人前看起來美麗，精神奕奕。甚至會透過化妝或打扮來讓自己看起來更好。這樣做，是沒有問題的。但聖經提醒我們，如果內心不快樂，再怎麼妝飾都是徒勞。因為憂愁會像重物一樣，把一個人的靈魂壓碎、使之枯乾。當我們心裡承受著巨大壓力或低潮時，勉強擠出的笑容也是苦澀的。
所以，想要擁有真正的美與活力，必須從心開始。身為基督徒，我們明白處理內在壓力的最好方式就是交託。把生命中的困難與重擔交給神，祂必會幫助並舒緩我們的重壓。
今天無論你是要上班還是上學，請記得先處理好自己的心。將那些沈重的負擔交託給主，讓我們由內而外散發出生命的光彩。
(Proverbs 15:13)
“A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”
The scripture uses a very strong contrast. In Hebrew culture, the heart is the core of emotions and will; when a person is filled with inner joy, this energy naturally beautifies their countenance. The original Hebrew word for face is plural, representing the many dimensions of our lives, and joy has the power to make all these dimensions exceedingly beautiful.
We often want to appear beautiful and vibrant in front of others. We might even use makeup or dressing up to make ourselves look better. There is nothing wrong with doing so. However, the Bible reminds us that if the heart is unhappy, no amount of adornment will avail. This is because sorrow acts like a heavy weight, crushing a person’s soul and causing it to wither. When we carry immense pressure or are in a low ebb, a forced smile is only bitter.
Therefore, if you want to possess true beauty and vitality, you must start from the heart. As Christians, we understand that the best way to handle internal pressure is through surrender. By handing over the difficulties and burdens of life to God, He will surely help and relieve our heavy pressure.
Whether you are heading to work or school today, please remember to deal with your heart first. Entrust those heavy burdens to the Lord, and let us radiate the brilliance of life from the inside out.
