The Laughing Heart

January 28, 2024

“She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25

“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:4

 “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter And your lips with shouting.” Job 8:21

“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
  

Last week’s study of “The Joyous Heart” actually ushered me into the topic of “laughter” in the Word of God.  Laughter is a recurring theme in the Bible, and it is mentioned in various contexts throughout both the Old and New Testaments. Depending on the translation, laugh/laughing/laughter is mentioned between 20-70 times. 

How much time did you spend laughing last week? Did it have a powerful effect? Have you ever found yourself literally in tears, after someone or something made you laugh? Was it liking to an immediate emotional high that helps you feel better right away?  Or was it like emotional medicine or treatment for the heart and soul?  That’s the powerful effect of laughter!

“Laughter is a melody of the soul.”

It is often easy to get bogged in the busyness and the challenges of everyday life to the point that we are often exhausted, and physically look grouchy, frustrated, and even stressed. However,  God did not call us to a life where we constantly walk around frowning and drained.  In fact, by the power of His Holy Spirit, He wants us to be full of love, joy, and peace as noted in Galatians 5:22-23, given to us by His Spirit.   And people who are full of love, joy, and peace smile, and yes, they laugh! 

As Christians, we have more reasons to laugh than anyone else, because ultimately our joy is in the Lord regardless of our circumstances. Laughter is not just an external expression but a reflection of the joy and harmony within us! Although Scripture emphasizes the importance of serious matters like repentance, faith, and obedience, it also acknowledges the value of joy and laughter as an amazing gift from God. It helps us in so many ways. It provides so many spiritual, emotional/mental, and physical benefits. As a medical professional and counselor, I am especially interested in the specific benefits of laughter on our overall well-being. 

Psalm 126:2-3 says, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’ The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” (NIV)  This passage shows how laughter and joy can be intertwined in a celebration of God’s blessings and goodness.

What are the Physical, Emotional/Mental, and Spiritual Benefits of LAUGHTER? The top research references indicate that laughter has some amazing benefits making it a valuable and therapeutic aspect of our human experience.

Some Physical and Benefits – Laughter:

1. Acts as a natural painkiller by the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. These endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can temporarily relieve pain and decrease the perception of pain.
2. Reduces the production of stress hormones like cortisol, which can help lower stress levels.
3. Can improve cardiovascular (heart) health by improving blood vessel function and increasing blood flow, which can lead to better and a reduced risk of heart disease.
4. Contributes to boosting the immune system by increasing the production of anti-infection antibodies and activating immune cells. This can lead to a stronger defense against illnesses and infections.
5. Can relax the whole body, relieving physical tension and stress. It can also increase blood flow, which can help reduce the risk of heart problems.

Emotional/Mental Benefits– Laughter:

1. Laughter is known to elevate mood by regulating cortisol levels reducing stress creating a sense of happiness and joy. It can combat feelings of depression and anxiety by promoting a positive mindset. It lessens chronic depression and anxiety, making it easier to cope with challenging situations
2. Reduces the release of stress hormones like cortisol and relaxes the body, leading to a calmer emotional state and better stress management. A good laugh can relieve your muscles of extra stress for up to 45 minutes!
3. Laughter enhances social connections and is a great social bonding tool. Shared laughter strengthens relationships, enhances communication, and promotes a sense of belonging and connection with others.
4. Allows you to be more resilient in the face of adversity. Finding humor even in challenging situations can increase resilience helping you cope more effectively.
5. Is reported that laughter increases your chances of getting pregnant according to a study done in 2011.

Spiritual Benefits – Laughter:

1. Brings a sense of inner peace and harmony, allowing individuals to connect with their inner selves and experience a deep sense of contentment.
2. Promotes a sense of interconnectedness with others and the world. It can be a way of expressing gratitude for the beauty and humor in life.
3. Can aid in the healing process, facilitating an atmosphere of forgiveness and reconciliation by reducing resentment and promoting empathy
4. Can help people reflect on their moral and ethical values and beliefs. Humor often challenges societal norms and expectations, leading to spiritual growth and greater self-awareness.

HEART CHALLENGE:  A good rule of thumb to live by is that if we do not have anything positive, helpful, or uplifting to say, then don’t say anything and only speak the truth about everything in love.  Biblically speaking our words and laughter should be words that comfort, encourage, and build up!

Ephesians 4:29-32 (NIV) “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what helps build others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

A LAUGHING HEART:  What is the prescription for a Laughing Heart and how to incorporate more laughter into your life? We must learn to proactively embrace the joy that God has given us and to incorporate laughter into our daily lives. There are going to be things that we will encounter in our personal lives that we could be upset, worried, stressed, or anxious about – the devil will see to it! So, we must start by:

1. Praising God for His goodness in our lives – we have so many things to be grateful for and so many reasons just to smile and even burst into laughter! Just reflect on where God has brought you from! We have instances in our lives where God turned our situation completely around from bad to good, i.e., a serious illness, a financial burden, or even a legal matter.
2. Where everything that could go wrong, went wrong all at the same time. In those circumstances that He brings us through, that we look back on in retrospect, and we stand in awe of His grace. And because God is that good, it gives us even more reason to break out in laughter of praise! You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever! Psalm 30:11-12 NLT
3. Trust God’s Promises and Plan For Your Life! Living in a secular world where everything around us is saturated with comparisonitis, it is so easy to get distracted by focusing on what everyone else has and we don’t have.  Remember, this is why it is so important to spend time with God in His Word and prayer daily so that we can arm our minds with His promises and focus on His plan for our lives.
4. Put yourself in a positive and joyful environment. Sometimes the environment we find ourselves in can contribute to our lack of joy and laughter. If we are constantly around negative people who constantly complain, are unhappy, and are all about dread, worry, doom, and gloom, then it becomes easy for us to start taking on similar mindsets.
5. Do yourself a favor and make it a point to find things that uplift your spirit, cheer you up, and make you laugh daily. Spend time in the presence of God and allow Him to remind you of the things that bring and have brought humor to your life and LAUGH!

FATHER GOD, Thank You for Your Word that provides us clear instructions on how to live and bring laughter to our lives.  Help us to remember your amazing gift of laughter, in the Precious, Powerful, and Preeminent Name of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord, Amen