Christian Living

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Can you remember the last time you were in stitches laughing? I recently watched a movie on TV and it had me in stitches, I soon forgot about all the stresses of the day. A good laugh once in a while is great for our wellbeing, both spiritually and physically. I have heard that in some hospitals, people who are very ill are encouraged to laugh, so that the healing process can take place. What a concept, but can laughter and joy actually make any difference to our spirit, soul and physical body? According to the book of Proverbs it can.

Proverbs 17:22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.

The word ‘merry’ according to the Hebrew means, ‘joyful, cheerful, merry, glad’ and more. One of the expressions of joy is undoubtedly the ability to laugh easily and regularly. The word ‘medicine’ here isn’t the best choice of English in that the original Hebrew word ‘gehah’ means ‘a cure or a healing’, but I think we get the picture. This scripture is telling us, when we have a joyful heart (spirit) it will work like a cure. Being able to laugh is part of having a merry heart. So many "Christian's" these days are so negative, always focusing on the doom and gloom, and no wonder so much of the body of Christ is unwell in one way or another. Being full of joy and being able to laugh at ourselves and circumstances will help ward off evil forces, as well as help you enjoy your life a lot more. According to Psalm 16:11, in God's presence is "fullness of joy". Therefore we should immerse ourselves in the things of God, such as the Word of God, the works of God and the Holy Spirit to experience a ‘fullness’ of joy. God and His presence are within us if we are born again, that’s true, but we need to fellowship with Him in order for that joy to run over. For example, in the same way it’s a fact that your body is full of blood, you can still become physically cold unless you begin to exercise and get the blood flowing. Prayer and obedience to the Word will see you filled and overflowing with joy. Not only does God's Word testify to the effects that joy and its expressions such as laughter has on a person's spirit, soul and body, but modern research has also discovered the positive effects that laughter has on a person's well being. Here’s a little secular research for our thinking:

a. Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

b. Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

c. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.

d. Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems. (helpguide.org)

Jesus said in Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Being full of joy and being able to laugh will also allow us to shine for the Gospel. When I was working in a secular job I would come into the manager's office on Monday full of joy, unlike the other workers who came in all down and out and wishing they weren’t there. After a while of my Manager seeing the joy I was exuding through simply being in right relationship with Christ, she became curious as to why I was this way. This led her to ask me about my faith. That joy and freedom I was expressing was shining in my workplace, this also led many other people as well to ask me about my faith. Some other scriptures to meditate on and reveal to us the importance of having a merry heart are:

Pro 15:13 A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.

Pro 15:15 All the days of the afflicted are evil: he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.

So if you're feeling down and the devil's giving you a hard time, make sure your filling up with God’s Word, doing the works of Christ, and leading a strong prayer life, then go and have some good clean fun. Hire a funny movie (make sure it's clean) or call someone who makes you laugh, and you'll not only have a mood change, but you'll benefit from all the other effects that laughter and a merry heart bring.

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