Feel free to Slap me if I Need it

"Do you want your face to freeze that way?"

"If your lip were any lower you would trip over it."

"Whip that scowl off your face."

One's countenance or facial expression can be an indication of mood, emotion, or character.
The eyes are the window of the soul, is a shortened phrase derived from Latin which reads:
"The face is the picture of the mind as the eyes are its interpreter."

Countenance is first mentioned in scripture in Genesis 4:5.
"But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect, and Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell."

 The idiom "if looks could kill," comes to mind.

In Genesis 4:6 God asked Cain why his countenance had fallen. Cain first looked sad, depressed and dejected. Then his expression changed. A look of jealous rage flashed on his face. It was then he planned to murder his brother. God Almighty could see the thoughts and intents of Cain's heart.
I can see a sadness cross God's face.

How could Cain have washed these feelings from his mind and heart? If he would have expressed godly sorrow, if he had repented and offered a blood sacrifice, God would have excepted his offering. What is the difference in godly sorrow and worldly sorrow?

Proverbs 15:13 says, "A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken."

II Cor. 7:10 "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but sorrow of the world worketh death."

Charles Dickens said, "Crying opens the lungs, washes the countenance, exercises the eyes and softens down the temper, so cry away."

Eccles. 7:3 "Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better."

Worldly sorrow draws attention to self. Self wants to be pitted and comforted in it's sorrow.

Godly sorrow releases our hold, therefore it conditions our pride. God allows circumstances that are meant to recondition our countenance toward him. Learning to wash our face in godly sorrow softens our countenance so others see his reflection and not the angry, pouting look of a selfish malcontent.

Godly sorrow should be private. It should be expressed between you and God alone. But if you should find yourself with a friend who feels the need to include you in this show remember Proverbs 27:17.

"Iron sharpenth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend."

Offering pity to the pitiful only encourages pride. Christ wants us to show compassion and weep with those who weep, but if the person is weeping just to draw attention to themselves and not because of a real grief, then be a friend and tell them to straighten up and pray about their feelings.
Sometimes a slap from a friend can work wonders.