Keeping Up Appearances

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. 1 Samuel 16:7

I've been thinking a lot lately about this concept. Sometimes, even as Christians we struggle with looking good on the outside, or keeping up appearances. We can look great in what others physically see, but be a complete mess inside, in our hearts. Maybe our lives are filled with turmoil or strife and it splashes out onto those we meet or come in contact. Or perhaps we lash out, but then make excuses or justify our responses instead of choosing to be humble and accept ownership to how we acted.

The Lord never promised that we would have an easy road ahead of us as we walk this path as a Christian, but most important is that He promised to be with us and to not give us more than we can endure.

So have you been merely keeping up appearances lately, or are the spiritual truths and God's love bursting through in your actions and responses?