As I read one my devotions today, my favorite pastor, Chuck Swindoll was right on target with some of the very issues I’ve experienced. As a victim of DV for many years, I shared with counselors and pastors that my ex mandated I wear my “church face” when I walked in the church door.

One of my pastors in the 80’s cited that was not necessary. If my ex had been verbally or emotionally abusing me prior to arriving at church, I was not required to look/act like all was normal. Yet, how often in our lives are we expected to do just that? Chuck’s words today reiterated life is not always joy and happiness. “Who, indeed, knows what wickedness lurks in the hearts of men and women? We think we do. But how wrong we usually are.

The heart houses secrets we can never see. People are awfully good at cover-up. Smiling masks often camouflage breaking hearts. About the time we think we’ve got somebody figured out, we’re stunned to discover how much was hidden from view. Lurking in many a life is pain beyond belief. In our world of superficial talk and casual relationships, it is easy to forget that a smile doesn’t necessarily mean “I’m happy” and the courteous answer “I’m fine” may not be at all truthful.

Even the closest family members can be blindly unaware of each other’s pain.  But I’ve lived long enough to know that many a heart hides agony while the face reflects ecstasy. There is Someone, however, who fully knows what lurks in our hearts. And knowing, He never laughs mockingly and fades away. He never shrugs and walks away. Instead, He understands completely and stays near. Who, indeed, knows? Our God, alone, knows.” Isn’t it wonderful to know that we don’t have to “cover up” around God. He sees and knows it all. Hebrews 4:13 (NIV)^” Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.”