"It's like, the more I try, the less I feel
In desperate need of something real
Why, lately I ain't been the same?
I try so hard to hide this pain
I search, but I can't ever find
Can't seem to leave my past behind
Cause all the ones I hope would stay
Are all the ones that fade away"

-Phora

It's so easy to do. It's so easy to put on a fake smile and live our lives hiding our true pain. People may ask if everything's okay, but do they really care? You begin to question everything. You say things like, "Why does it have to hurt so much?" Or, "Why me?" Or, "What did I do to deserve this?"

We all experience pain sometime in our life. Pain can come in many different forms and can leave scars that'll be with you for the rest of your time in this world. Some people have a few scars from past events, while others have many scars that each tell their own story. We're all vulnerable to pain and it can strike at anytime. Once we experience pain, we're never the same and there are so many different directions we can take in dealing with the pain. A common way we deal with our pain is buy trying to cover it up. We try to hide our pain from everyone around us. We wear a fake smile, while deep inside we want to nothing, but scream to the world and cry until we can’t cry anymore. We're trying so hard to get away from our past, away from all of the things that remind us of the pain. We run and run, but never towards anybody. We don't trust people with our pain. We feel "too damaged" to talk to anyone, so we try and face it ourselves. Let me tell you this, it doesn't work. It doesn't matter how hard you try, you won't be able to heal your own scars. You'll be forever wearing fake smiles.

How do you overcome this? Is there anyway to face your pain and one day be able to live with your scars? The answer is yes. I mean is everything going to be perfect? No, not by any means, but I can promise you, it's worth you. What I'm talking about is Jesus. Now, before you tune out because you don't like reading this religious stuff, or you're already a follower and you think that this doesn't apply to you, stop! Stay with me please, it won't disappoint. If you're experience pain in your life and you feel like there are no answers and all hope is inevitable, Jesus is there. He's the hope and healing that you've been desperately seeking. Maybe you're a Christian that's strayed from the path of God and you got hurt while you were away from Him, God still loves you. He doesn't care what you've done, He loves you and is going to love you no matter what you do. Whether you follow Him or not, He is still watching over us. When we don't feel God near, He's right by our side. All it takes to experience this true healing and acceptance, is to accept Jesus Christ into your heart and devote your life to Him. Jesus says in Luke 9:29,

"Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23, NIV)

Following Jesus isn't going to be easy, but I can promise you, it is 100% worth it. It will be the best decision you could ever make. You'll no longer have to wander the Earth wearing fake smiles, but you'll be able to wear a true smile, filled with true joy.