Tuesday, March 17, 2009

The Bullet of Joy: Laughter Is Good For You

Last week, we considered the relationship between happiness, joy and praise. This week, let’s look at these three from a different point of view … humor and the role laughter can play in making us productive citizens of the Lord Jesus’ kingdom here on earth.

The following observations about laughter come from my dear friend Larry Walker of Visionwalk International Ministries:

“God gave us a great gift in the capacity to laugh. Look for those things that can be truly funny, or maybe take lightly some things that we take far too seriously. Most of all, never lose the ability to laugh at yourself.

Laughter results in muscle relaxation, pain reduction, lowers blood pressure, and even is helpful for digestion. It lowers stress, dissolves anger and frustration, and even soothes sadness. It unites family and friends, builds trust, and enhances relationships.

No matter the circumstances, the joy of the Lord can be ours and can be expressed, not only in prayer and worship, but also in laughter.”

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22) and if we truly “put” our expectations in Christ alone His joy becomes our joy! We then experience the impactive wonder of Nehemiah 8:10, “…for the joy of the Lord IS your strength.”

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