Proverbs 14:13
Even in laughter the heart is
sorrowful;
and the end of that mirth is heaviness.
Oftentimes we see people around us
appearing to be having a good time. They
may laugh or look like they are in the midst of an enjoyable time. These people may be in a restaurant we visit,
in line behind us at a department store or next to us in our workplace. This appearance can trick us into thinking
that they are happy and content. The
Lord warns us that even when someone is laughing, their heart may, in fact, be
full of sorrow. Sometimes people even
laugh harder to avoid being perceived as hurting as they might be. When we are around people, believers or
non-believers, we need to remain observant and sensitive to their hearts. We need to listen to the Holy Spirit if He
illuminates someone in the room and draws our hearts towards them. We cannot take their laughter at face
value. Listen to their words for hints
of some sort of pain or sorrow that the Lord might want to use us to minister
to them. This is not to be a witch hunt
for pain, but rather an exhortation for us to not go along with the climate of
a conversation without being open to a person’s pain or burden. The next time everyone is laughing, remember
that someone in that group could in fact be full of sorrow and heaviness. Don’t allow the group dynamics to hide the
needs of the individual.
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