I have been pondering the subject of laughter for a few weeks now, and I have come to a very simple conclusion: laughter is a precious gift from God that should be pursued.Think about it.The first major accomplishment that a baby makes is his first smile.The first laugh is downright monumental.We seek laughter and smiles as affirmation of acceptance from other people.An entire entertainment industry has been erected around the ability to make people laugh.The great thing about laughter is that it requires that we live in the moment, not pondering the past or worrying over the future; simply enjoying something at hand that lifts our spirits as well as the corners of our mouths.Laughter bonds friendships and seals family ties.Ask a girl or guy what they look for in a mate, and they will almost always include the phrase “someone who makes me laugh.”Laughter is contagious; have you ever found yourself laughing just because someone else is, even if you don’t know what they are laughing about?And, crazy as it seems, you’re able to enjoy the laughter even without knowing its source. This is a valuable commodity!
When I checked my concordance for Bible verses about laughter, I found that the word most often translated as laugh or laughter was one that communicates a mocking laugh rather than a humorous or joyful laugh.A search for “cheer” and “cheerful” proved a little more satisfying.A quick trip through Proverbs reveals why laughter is such a valuable thing to us in our human experience.Proverbs 15:15 teaches that “All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast. “Just a page later in chapter 17, verse 22, we find that “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person's strength.”Both proverbs encourage us to seek laughter and cheer for the sake of our health and life.
We usually think of laughter as a spontaneous reaction, so it isn’t something we think we can choose, but I believe we can.We can certainly choose to look for the good in things rather than focus on the bad.We can choose to seek after a happy heart rather than remaining in a broken spirit.Okay, easier said than done, but I have experienced such grace and relief when in my despair I looked to God and sought to see His good and His blessings that I am convinced that it is possible and I encourage you to TRY it.You might think that your circumstances are so bad that there is no good to be found, but I assure you, God is always to be found, and He is good, all the time!When you gaze upon Jesus as He is revealed to you in Scripture and in your walk with Him, doesn’t He bring a smile to your face?I just can’t help it!I will soar on wings of eagles when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus singing over me!(Casting Crowns)My Lord sings over me!That makes me smile and laugh and feel all giddy inside!He is wonderful and I am so taken with His love and grace for me that I have to smile when I consider how He loves me.He loves you too, precious one.Seek the source of true cheer and laughter and let Him transform your spirit of despair into garments of praise.I assure you a smile will come upon your face as you realize your true value…and that smile just might erupt into deep belly laughs if you let it.May God’s love, grace, and laughter abound in your life today.
