Article April 29, 2013 ISSUE

Tell your face about it

Andrew Wilson

“Are you happy?”

“Yes!”

“Then tell your face about it.”

That familiar piece of advice was given to me at a time in my life when it appeared I had been content to internalize my happiness without showing it outwardly. I didn’t realize I was doing that, but quickly took those words to heart.

There was no point in my being just inwardly happy if neither I nor the world around me was enjoying any outward light or blessing from it. At the same time, I did want to represent my true nature to the world better and fulfill my obligation to others.

I saw that this was in line with Christ Jesus’ declaration: “Ye are the light of the world. … Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14, 16 ). We are also told in the Bible that when Moses had communed with God and understood his God-given mission and purpose, “the skin of his face shone” (Exodus 34:29 ).

It's clearly important what signals we send to our body.

Sometimes, we need to work at that inner “shining” until our outward appearance manifests our inner happiness and strength. As Mary Baker Eddy wrote, “Realize the presence of health and the fact of harmonious being, until the body corresponds with the normal conditions of health and harmony” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 412 ).

Here I have always found the word until important. Sometimes we know the truth for a while, and then, because there appears to be no outward result, give up or look for some other truth to know; whereas, we should hang in there “until the body corresponds.”

Mrs. Eddy also pointed out: “A change in human belief changes all the physical symptoms, and determines a case for better or for worse. When one’s false belief is corrected, Truth sends a report of health over the body” (Science and Health, p. 194 ). It’s clearly important what signals we send to our body. If we would have it strong, we shouldn’t call it weak. If we want to be happy, we should take the side of happiness (see Mary Baker Eddy, Christian Healing, p. 10 ).

So it’s up to us to decide how much happiness, health, and strength we want to see expressed in our bodies, our daily lives, and in the world at large. We truly can “tell our face,” or any other part of the body, about it, and let those qualities shine, to everyone’s benefit. It may not always be easy, but the world is a much happier place for it.

About the author

Andrew Wilson lives in Morecambe, Lancashire, England.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit