Filled With Laughter - Christian Benefits of Laughter

I Love to laugh. I believe that health and humor are related. Hard laughter has helped me through many unpleasant times in my life. I find even the soft chuckle lifts my spirit. If you are under stress, take a moment while you read this hub and laugh! Go ahead; laugh right now!

I am reading Psalm 126:1 today. - “ When the Lord turned again the Captivity of Zion, we were like them that dreamed. Then was our mouth filled with laughter “ (Ps. 126. 1).

It was in the most festive moment of their lives that that these exiles laughed. Why did they laugh? They had been changed! The transformation from bondage to liberty and from banishment to home, produced exhilarations of feeling that gave natural vent through laughter. I can imagine them as they laughed and giggled and snickered and chuckled and even hooted and snorted and cackled. In my mind’s ear I hear them singing and swaying and playing music, and even dancing! They clapped their hands and danced with their feet and bellowed praise to God. Why shouldn’t they? Their captivity in a foreign land was ended. Joy brimmed over into every nerve and muscle. Eyes fired upward, countenances glowed, voices rang out, and laughter pealed forth in mirth. It was the time to be filled with laughter! No more exile; banishment had been ended; a great dream had come true; they could scarcely believe it was true, “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our voice with singing.”

There is a time to make mirth! Humor and health are related. Laughter may not heal you, but it can make you feel better while you’re sick. One thing I never fully understand is why many Christians are so fired against the show of emotion in church. Why does everything have to be so uptight with stoic faces and programmed orders of ceremony? One preacher taunted, “It is because we are in church; this is God’s house!” Well, “Duh!” Serving God is fun, and sometimes funny. Holy laughter is great, if there is a change in your life.

Babylon is now beaten, Persia is put to shame, and Nebuchadnezzar is a nobody. Israel is back in its native land. So, what do God’s people do? Mirth finds vent in laughter. I am not opposed to making merry, we need more of it. I am opposed to madness and folly and blind exhibitions of uncontrolled emotion which brings more attention to the person than to Jesus Christ. However, often in our attempts to have everything done, “decently and in order,” we have stifled the part of our being that helps make us who we are.

If we take sides, let us takes sides with joy. Let us embrace rejoicing, even with all its physical and intellectual exhibitions.

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Romans KJV 5:11)

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. (Philippians KJV 3:1)

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. (Philippians KJV 4:4)

“ Rejoice in the Lord, and again I say rejoice “ comes to me as counsel from one (Paul) who had known every height and depth of life’s experiences. Christians must embrace rejoicing! Mirth is sensible and happiness is rational : Godly laughter is useful.

I was born with a birth defect, and I have been partly crippled all my life. God gave me a sense of humor as compensation. It does good to have a merry heart. I would rather have a defect that everyone can see than to have one hidden that cripples the spirit and dries the bones! Many people (including Christians) are sour and sad in their spirit.

(Proverbs 17:22 KJV) A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

I find that it is good to have a jovial laugh. My best and most satisfying chuckles are not the result of someone else’s misfortune but that which is given me by my Savior, who has graciously blessed me with the gift of humor. I am far from perfect here, but I do try to see the goodness of life and the natural humor all around me!

_{Romans 5:2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.}

_{Philippians 2:2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.}

_I challenge you to ask God for this invaluable gift. Nurture sympathy, joined with humor and glee. Find your best Friend in Jesus Christ, and make Him your prosperity and your joy. Then shall your mouth be filled with laughter and your voice with song.