“Iron sharpens iron” is a popular Christian cliché, especially when a Christian wants to justify correcting another Christian. But I’ve recently noticed this verse has a second half! “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens (improves and smooths) the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17). For me, that means I need to check in that someone’s countenance is lifted as I provide any “iron that sharpens iron.” I want to check that their face is soft and looks relieved to receive my help. Even on a phone call, I can listen for a strained voice or a voice at ease. On a text I can ask if their head hurts, stomach’s tight, or jaw’s locked because of my sharpening, or if they’re feeling light and relaxed. Depending on these looks and answers, I want to stick around in the iron-sharpening conversation until I do my part to support a facelift.