It's No Joke, Laughter Heals

“She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future." - Proverbs 31:25

I don't know who said "laughter is good for the soul," but they were on to something. In the year 2022, some might say it more like this, "I'm surviving off Jesus and memes." Life can get us to places that make laughter and joy seem impossible. I also think everyone has had those moments when a gloomy day is jolted by someone sending a meme, a kid saying something silly, or a scene in a show hitting just right causing laughter to burst through the body making the heart pulse with joy and finding oneself literally laughing out loud. If you're familiar with the story of Job you know his friends didn't always give him the best advice or comfort him well (see Job 16). But in Job 8 his buddy Bildad hit on something good when he said, "He (God) will once again fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy." There are certainly times crying is both warranted and needed, but there are also times to laugh. We must grieve, but we must also dance (Ecclesiastes 3:4).

"A cheerful heart is good medicine." - Proverbs 17:22

As a counselor and through personal experience, I know that sometimes it is necessary to face sorrow and walk through hard places to find healing. I also firmly believe the path to joy is not paved solely by focusing on what is dreadful or tearful. To get technical, according to the Mayo Clinic laughter enhances the intake of oxygen and stimulates many organs increasing endorphins released in the brain. Laughter activates the stress response of the body that increases and then decreases the heart rate, which produces a relaxed feeling. Laughter can also soothe tension by stimulating circulation and aiding in muscle relaxation helping to reduce some of the physical symptoms of stress.

It is easy to fix our eyes and thoughts on what is hard and scary or spiral to places of emotional sorrow and pain. Philippians 4:8-9 says, "Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you." While it is important to not ignore troubling thoughts, difficult circumstances, or painful emotions, it is equally important that it not be the place our eyes and thoughts are "fixed." It is not where we need to dwell. If you find yourself unable to do anything but be consumed by depression or anxiety, please reach out to a trusted friend or pastor, talk with your doctor, or seek help from a mental health professional.

“We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy." - Psalm 126:2

Psalm 30:8-12 David says, "I cried out to you, O Lord. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, “What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness? Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord. 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!"

It is evident that David does not deny the reality of his difficult circumstances (2 Samuel 22) or ignore his emotional pain (Psalm 130). However, in turning to the Lord He found joy. In dancing, David praised God. God turned David's mourning to joy. He danced and I imagine He also laughed. In your own sorrow, turn to the God who is able to bring joyful dancing from mourning and change tears to laughter. Send memes, joke with family friends, watch movies that make you both cry and laugh, and find healing in laughter.

"God blesses you who weep now for in due time you will laugh.” - Luke 6:21