Daniel 1:13. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king’s meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants.

Your countenance or face tells a lot about you.  Many can be read like a book by what is revealed on their face.  A happy countenance can bring joy to others.  A real joy from the Lord should produce a smile on your face.  Daniel was eating right and it affected his face.  He probably had a few less pimples on this face than the king’s servants who were eating pepperoni pizza day every day.  A good preacher can read his congregation as he preaches.  He knows the ones who are getting it and the ones who hate it.  He can tell a lot looking at a face.  Your face makes it hard for you to hide what is going on in your heart.

The best way to have joy on your face is to have joy in your heart.  Keeping your heart with all diligence is going to require you to have control over your mind.  You are going to have to chase away evil thoughts, bitterness and envy.  Also you need to read others faces as well.  When someone is having a bad day, don’t make it worse by telling them they have a bad attitude (that especially goes for your spouse!!!).  Try to encourage someone when you read their face and see something is amiss.  A soft answer helps to turn away that angry countenance.

Try and put a smile on your face today.  Think about what God has done for you and blessed you with.  Sing to the Lord.  If you think about all your trials and troubles, sooner or later you will have a bad countenance.  Let the Lord help you have a true joy that comes only from him.