Why is laugher a medicine, as it affects us spiritually, emotionally and physically. The bible says, for a joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones, Proverbs 17:22.
Natural Medicine
It has been proven that laughter strengthens the immune system, boosts the mood, diminishes pain, and protects the body from the damaging effects of stress. Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, and stimulates the heart, lungs and muscles by improving blood flow. It also increases the endorphins released by your brain, which are natural painkillers and increases your energy level.
It is also impossible to remain angry with someone when they make you laugh. Laugher distances you from a situation, giving you space to step back from the event, deal with it and then move on. It is the great undoer of tight positions and reliever of stress.
Universal
Laughter is a laugh in any language or culture, so it is not only a global connection, it helps break embarrassing situations. It is also the shortest distance between two people, for it is irresistibly contagious. Even when you don’t know what the person is laughing about, you soon feel the need to join in.
Laugher is a weapon and common only to the human race and totally free. Laughter is a true antidote to fear and frequently, you will see things in a new and better light when you have learned to laugh at life.
Laughter stimulates both sides of the brain, which enhances learning, creativity and memory. It is also provides a great physical workout, exercising the abdominal muscles, diaphragm, and various parts of the body. It is no wonder that many people have become involved in Laugh Clubs around the globe. There are over 20,000 Laughter Yoga Clubs worldwide, spread across 120 countries.
Thin Line
Children laugh around 300 times a day, but adults only laugh 15 times a day on average. Children know they will get a positive response from an adult when they laugh, and kids have less things to worry about. The truth is, it takes a lot less to make a child laugh than it does to get an adult to laugh.
There is a thin line that separates laughter and tears of pain, comedy and tragedy, humour and hurt. It is important we learn to develop a good sense of humour and not let life overwhelm us.
Special Medicine
Laughter has numerous benefits spiritually, for joy is an activator and a catalyst. Do not be grieved for the joy of the Lord is your strength, Nehemiah 8:10.
How the enemy laughed at the Israelites silently marching around the walls of Jericho. First, they marched around with just the Ark of the Covenant. The next day seven priests blew on seven trumpets before the Ark, with armed men before and behind them. For six days they marched, then on the seventh day they marched seven times.
By now the town’s people were having parties on top of the city walls as they mocked and jeered the Israelites. They probably took bets to see how long these foreigners would continue. Finally, the priests told the Israelites to give a victory shout. How many of the city folk were killed as the walls came tumbling down, Joshua 6?
Nothing is more infuriating for the enemy than when you laugh in his face, for it breaks down barriers. Therefore, laughter and joy become a powerful weapon and contributes to making Christianity unique.
The Joy of Calvary
Calvary and the crucifixion of our Saviour is the last place you would expect to find joy. How the Father’s heart broke as the Son paid such a sacrifice for the redemption of fallen man. The Son gave His life for all mankind to find a way back to God.
Laughter would have filled the courts of heaven as Christ rose victorious from the grave, with the keys of death and Hades in His hands, Revelation 1:18. Satan’s head was crushed, as promised in Genesis 3:15. What Satan set out to be totally destructive, God determined for victory.
Only the Son could buy back mankind from the clasp of Satan, who had gained it be default. Only through what the Son did can redeemed man enter into an eternal covenantal relationship with the great I Am that I Am, Exodus 3:15.
Joy of the Believer
Paul wrote, For I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us, Romans 8:18. It is difficult to be joyful when you are going through things, but when you totally trust God, the end result is joy. God promises that weeping may last for the night, but a shout of joy comes in the morning, Psalm 30:5.
Our time on this earth is but a fleeting moment compared to eternity. God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28.
Joy is the Nature of Heaven
Heaven is not a silent place with angels playing harps floating around on clouds. Heaven echoes with the sound of laughter and joy. God is not sitting stoically on a throne, for God exults over His people with great joy and singing.
The Lord your God is in your midst. A victorious warrior. He will exult over you with joy. He will be quiet in His love. He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy, Zephaniah 3:17.
Warning
The Bible gives us a warning about laughter. Because you did not serve the Lord your God with joy and a glad heart, therefore you shall serve your enemies whom the Lord will send among you, Deuteronomy 28:47.
The Bible is clear in its instruction for the people of God to be joyful. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice you righteous ones. And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart, Psalm 32:11.
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say rejoice, Philippians 4:6. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, 1 Thessalonians 5:16. Christians have much to be joyful about.
Eternal Joy
The redeemed of the Lord will know eternal joy and laughter. So, the ransomed of the Lord will return and come with joyful shouting to Zion. And everlasting joy will be on their heads. They will obtain gladness and joy and sorrow and sighing will flee away, Isaiah 51:11.
It is up to us to daily release that joy in our earthly walk. Too often we are bowed down with the cares of this world. We all need the ‘ministry of the night’ for that is where we gain spiritual strength and endurance, but joy will follow if we keep our eyes on our Lord.
Like Peter, we are threatened with drowning when we take our eyes off the Lord, Matthew 14:28-32. Take time out every day to consciously enjoy the Lord and let joy flow from the very depths of your being.
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