A healing power can be found in laughter

“A happy heart is like a good medicine and a cheerful mind works healing.” (Proverbs 17:22)

On Friday nights at our house we have ‘game night.’ A group of my children’s friends and some of their moms come over after dinner. Then, we gather around our dining room table, pick on some healthy snacks, and play funny board games.

But what I notice the most about ‘game night’ is the permeating laughter. The family-friendly games we play are hilarious. Often, tears are running down our faces from us laughing aloud. Smiles are etched upon our lips. Bonding, the face to face time spent together giggling means so much to us all. And hour by hour, we’re spawned with uncontrollable laughter and joy!

How long has it been since you’ve had a good, hearty laugh? Are you sharing good humor with others? Could it be that you would receive the healing for which you’re longing if you would learn to laugh more?

We can banish the tensions, worries and concerns with laughter. A sense of humor about situations tinged with love can take the cutting edge off of challenges. And it can help to make our burdens feel lighter.

My neighbor is a longdistance runner and competes in marathons. Laughter has been called “inner running” because when we are engaged in a hearty laugh, like my neighbor’s exercise program, every system in our body gets a workout. Laughing does not require any special equipment, clothing or cost. It’s readily accessible and free of charge, just waiting to burst out and brighten our day. So let’s make time to laugh and enjoy the life that God has given us.

A while ago, I heard about a joyful celebration for a dear man’s 90th birthday that took place at a local restaurant. The man was a pillar in his community. A reporter from the newspaper attended the event and asked the man, “Sir, your wife said that you have never been sick a day in your life and you have never been to a doctor… is that a fact?” With a twinkle in his eye, the man replied “That’s not entirely so. The reason I’ve never been sick is I have the best doctor in the world… Dr. Laughter.”

Accordingly, there is a direct relation between humor and good health. You probably don’t think of laughter as medicine, but it is believed to help people live longer. There’s more and more evidence indicating that our thoughts, feelings and attitude not only play an obvious role in our mental health, but are contributors to our physical wellbeing. Laughter can make us feel good and can go a long way in helping us to cope with difficulties. It’s a powerful remedy for stress and may help to protect us against negative emotions by defusing worries or anger, and relaxing the whole body. Studies show that a good belly laugh can do wonders for breathing, blood-pressure, our immune system, muscle-tension, digestion and more.

I’m acquainted with a woman who said that having a positive attitude and good humor helped her as she healed from a serious operation. Rather than feeling sorry for herself, she began to do things to ignite laughter such as watching cartoons and funny movies. She tried to slow down and simplified her life by saying no to projects that did not fit into her time schedule or compromised her health. Little by little, the woman started feeling better. Then, she chose associations and situations that contributed to her happiness and peace of mind and filled her time with creative outlets. With a smile on her face, she described how she also wrote down in a journal a list of all the happy things in her life. Rereading the list helped her to focus on her many blessings and thus, improved her entire outlook. And eventually, the woman recovered and was completely healed.

After hearing about her experience, I thought back to the Scripture that states: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” – (Psalm 30:5). You may have shed your share of tears of sadness. Yet, before long, God will turn those tears of sadness into tears of joy. Your ‘morning’ is coming! Your breakthrough is on its way. You have immeasurable potential, amazing skills and talents. There are so many incredible possibilities for your future. Thus, incorporate more laughter into your daily life. Rest easy, God is arranging circumstances for your benefit. Recently, I had to go out of town for business, and my family accompanied me across the country. The children had a wonderful time on the trip. And when we arrived home, my middle daughter hugged and thanked me. Then, she said, “You took me where I had never been before.”

That’s what God is going to do for you…He is going to “Take you where you’ve never been before.” God is positioning you to receive some amazing opportunities. He will restore to you twofold what was taken. And you’ll come into abundance. Today is your precious day, so don’t look back on what could have been or mistakes made. Instead, smile and choose to look at what can be now. Begin at once to set your mind on higher things; on whatever is “true, noble, right, pure, and lovely,” (Philippians 4:8).

When our first two daughters were little, we bought them a double stroller. So when we took our daily walks outside, the girls were seated next to each other. Just as my daughters were side by side, whatever you are facing today, God is there alongside you. God loves you. His hand is upon you, and He has a storehouse of new blessings and joys in your future.

Remember, whatever makes you laugh, put more of it into your life. Laughter is the music of the soul. Utilize this priceless gift of laughter. Appreciate and savor in all its beauty and add precious moments to your day.