Grateful, Joyous, Godly Laughter

God gave us laughter as a way to express ourselves.

Every part of God's creation design is a blessing, and laughter is no exception.

A number of studies have shown that laughter helps fight disease, improves breathing, boosts brain cells, reduces anxiety, helps heal ulcers, improves focus, reduces inflammation, helps us deal with depression and hardships, improves blood flow, helps prevent dementia, lowers blood pressure, burns calories, encourages creativity, clears our minds, helps relieve pain and stress, and boosts our immune system. 

If you think God isn’t interested in details, think again!

While Proverbs 17:22 doesn’t mention laughter specifically, it tells us that a cheerful heart is good medicine. The above list confirms that.

Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us there’s a “time to weep and a time to laugh.” 

There’s nothing wrong with weeping. It has its place in our emotional lives, and there are things worthy of tears. But we need to make sure that we also make time in our lives for wholesome laughter.

When was the last time you had a good, healthy, wholesome laugh?
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Below are some interesting references to laughter in Scripture:

Negative laughter: In Genesis 18:10-15 Sara laughed when the angel of the Lord told Abraham she would bear a child. Then she lied and said she didn’t laugh, but the angel knew she had.

Grateful, joyous laughter: In Genesis 21:6, Sara laughed out of joy when God kept His promise and gave 100-year-old Abraham and 90-year-old Sara a son. And she said everyone would laugh with her!

Godly laughter: Luke 6:21 says God will give laughter to those who weep.

Righteous laughter: In Psalm 2:4, 37:13, and 59:8, God laughs at the wicked who scoff at Him.

Unrighteous laughter: In Luke 6:25, God promises judgment on those who laugh when they should be weeping.

Confident laughter: In Proverbs 31:25, the Proverbs 31 woman can laugh at daily challenges because she has strength and dignity from the Lord.

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