Laughter is good medicine; even the Bible tells us this truth. But, unfortunately, with all the bad news in our world, I think many forget to laugh sometimes. God provides us with many opportunities to smile or even giggle daily if we look for them. The author of Ecclesiastes 8:15 even says, “So I recommend having fun, because there is nothing better for people in this world than to eat, drink, and enjoy life. That way they will experience some happiness along with all the hard work God gives them under the sun.” So, God intended us to find joy and laughter even amid our troubles.
A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Proverbs 17:22
Laughter is Good Medicine
I think we take ourselves too seriously sometimes and forget to laugh along the path of life. Laughter and rejoicing are mentioned throughout the Bible. God gave us laughter to lighten our burdens. And when our hearts feel light enough to laugh, we can quickly rejoice at all God has done for us. Yes, Ecclesiastes 3:4 reminds us that there is a time to cry and a time to laugh. And, we need to find time to weep and laugh during a pandemic because, without laughter, our spirit will become crushed.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
Psalm 126:2
God Gave Us Laughter
Not only does the Bible recommend laughter as good medicine, but the experts found the following benefits to our health when we laugh. (https://daringtolivefully.com/how-to-laugh-more).
- Laughter causes you to gulp in large portions of air, thereby oxygenating your blood.
- Chuckling decreases stress hormones in the body such as cortisol and adrenaline, thus helping to stave off illness.
- Laughter strengthens the immune system.
- When we laugh, our bodies release hormones and chemicals that have positive effects on our system. One of these chemicals is endorphins, the feel-good hormone.
- One minute of laughing burns the same number of calories as 6 to 10 minutes on a treadmill.
- Laughing raises your mood; joyfulness through laughter is the fastest way to create a positive state of mind.
- Laughing is good for the heart and improves blood circulation.
- Laughter can reduce pain and aid the healing process.
- Laughter creates and strengthens human connections.
- It feels good to laugh.
“He will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.”
Job 8:21
Finding Ways to Laugh Again
Take time today to look for ways to laugh. Here are a few suggestions to help bring laughter back into your life.
- Play some board games with your family.
- Learn to laugh at yourself for the silly mistakes we all make.
- Go to a playground and play with your children.
- Find friends who will help you laugh.
- Go to the zoo and look at all the various animals God created. Some just look funny.
- Watch a wholesome, funny show or movie.
- Turn off the daily news.
They are many more ways to add laughter back into life if we just take the time to look for them daily. Don’t let the dark days of life rob us of our joy. May God grant you a time of laughter today.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we feel lost in a sea of despair during these days of COVID. Our burdens feel heavy. Help us to lighten our loads with Your joy of laughter. Thank you for all Your hands provide. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Do you need prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Laughter is indeed good medicine. Whether your grieving a loved one’s passing, an unfortunate setback, or just trying to deal with the daily influx of ever-increasing doom and gloom, laughter lightens our mood and lightens our load. Well said ma’am.
Thank you JD. We need it daily to lighten our load. Laughter is a beautiful gift from God. Thanks for commenting. God bless
I’m so glad I grew up in an extended family of storytellers and hearty laughers. It has made all the difference! Laughter really is medicine. The Scriptures confirm it, and the impact on our bodies and souls concurs!
Amen Melinda. Laughter changes our health for the better. What a gift from God. God bless.
I am thankful God gives many opportunities in my life for laughter. Our family motto is “It’s Always A Story With The Hendersons”. Something funny is always happening around here. 🙂
Thanks Melissa. The stories you share always provide a wonderful laugh. I really appreciate them. God bless
Laughter filled homes and families and hearts is such a wonderful part of life. I have an extended family member is rarely smiles much less laughs. How sad when we lose the ability to enjoy life. Anytime I’ve told my daughter about a recent saga with this family member not knowing whether to laugh or cry, she always says, “let’s laugh.”
That is very sad. We all need to find joy and laughter in our daily lives. It helps to keeping us young. Thanks Karen.
So true! God laughs, and we should, too. Life can be hard, but there is still joy even in tiny moments.
Amen Jessica. Thanks for commenting. God bless you