Sunday, April 25, 2010

Laughter is Good for the Soul

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine." (Proverbs 17:22 - KJV)  "Laughter is good for the soul" the saying goes.  Have you laughed lately?  A good hearty laugh surely makes one feel so much better than mustering up the energy to frown!

What a testimony to the unbelieving world when Christians laugh and have a merry heart.  Look for things that will make you laugh.  Focus on the positive and don't dwell on the negative.  Focus on the blessings God has given rather than on the difficulties of life.  There will be more smiles and laughter and less frowning.

The word blessed in Scripture can often be translated happy.  The psalmist wrote in Psalm 119:1-2 - "Happy are they whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the LORD.  Happy are they who keep His statutes and seek Him with all their heart."  Have you been seeking happiness in the wrong places?  Christians find happiness in living a blameless (upright - without willful sin) life, walking according to God's Word, His teaching and instruction.

Another aspect of laughter is learning to laugh at ourselves.  I had several occasions to laugh at myself last Sunday (it does not always come easy for me!).  It was just one of those days.  First I left my purse in the Sanctuary, then I wrote our memory verse on the board (Psalm 119:10-11) and left off the word not.  It was a very important word - "that we might not sin against God."  Read it without the not!!  I could go on, but that is enough.  How much better to laugh at ourselves than dwell on our inadequacies or mistakes.  Laughter surely works good like a medicine.  Don't forget to take your medicine!

4 comments:

  1. Oh, my sister, truer words were never spoken. Laughter is SO good for us. I've been thankful for many years for the wacky sense of humor my sweet husband has. He's a hoot and a half and his humor has diffused many a tense moment over the last 45 years. It's certainly helped me learn to laugh at myself too. For, as you know, I'm just like you - that doesn't come easy. My favorite laughter of all, I think, is the laughter shared with Christian sisters (like you) when we are together. What joy to know the Lord and enjoy Him together!

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  2. Laughter...can't live with out it. I love laughter and often think I laugh too much but..it is medicine for the soul. Thanks for sharing the funnies with us!! Jean

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  3. speaking of memory verses...tonight in Bible study with Beth Moore...she prayed and used one of my memory verses. Love it!! Jean

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