Is Laughter the Best Medicine?
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I’ve often heard the phrase, “Laughter is the best medicine,” and I must admit, it resonates with me deeply. There’s something about the joy that bubbles up within us when we laugh that feels like healing in motion. I’ve experienced this firsthand in difficult seasons of life when everything felt heavy and overwhelming. Yet, a moment of genuine laughter—whether with friends, family, or even from a silly moment—shifted the atmosphere and lightened my heart.
In the Bible, there are numerous instances that speak to the power of joy, gladness, and even laughter. Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” This Scripture alone speaks volumes to me. God, in His infinite wisdom, knew that a joyful heart could bring healing, while the absence of joy and the presence of sorrow could weaken us, even down to our bones.
The Science Behind Laughter
Though science is not my primary source for understanding life’s truths, it’s interesting to note that studies today back up what God’s Word has long declared. Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, our body's natural feel-good chemicals. These endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and even temporarily relieve pain. The Bible was ahead of its time in pointing out this truth, showing how God’s design for our emotions ties directly to our physical health.
Psalm 126:2 speaks of a time when God’s people were filled with joy: "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The Lord has done great things for them.'" I love this image of God’s people laughing in response to His goodness. When we experience His grace and mercy, laughter is a natural outflow.
Laughter in Hard Times
One of the things I’ve come to understand is that laughter doesn’t only belong in the good times. Some of the most memorable, even life-giving, laughs have come in moments of hardship. Job 8:21 says, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.” What a promise this is! Even in our darkest seasons, God promises that joy will return and laughter will fill our hearts again.
I recall moments in my life when grief was heavy, and sorrow seemed all-consuming. Yet, in the middle of that, a small joke or a funny memory would arise, bringing laughter I never thought possible. These moments became a reminder that while weeping may last for a night, joy indeed comes in the morning (Psalm 30:5). God’s plan for us is not to dwell in sorrow forever but to bring us back into joy, which sometimes starts with laughter.
Laughter as a Spiritual Gift
It’s easy to think of laughter as a human reaction, but I believe that it’s also a gift from God. Ecclesiastes 3:4 tells us, "There is a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." I often reflect on how, just as God allows seasons of mourning, He also gives us seasons of laughter. He designed us to feel joy, and He desires that we experience the fullness of it, even in the simple act of laughing.
It’s also important to recognize that laughter can be an act of faith. In Genesis 21, we see the story of Sarah laughing when she learns that she will bear a child in her old age. Initially, it was a laugh of disbelief, but after Isaac was born, her laughter became an expression of joy and gratitude. She even says in verse 6, “God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me.” Her story reminds me that even when things seem impossible, God has the last word, and often, it’s a word that brings us to laughter.
The Role of Laughter in Relationships
Another area where laughter plays an important role is in our relationships. Laughter connects us. Proverbs 15:13 says, “A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.” When we laugh with others, it bonds us together in joy. Whether it’s family, friends, or fellow believers, laughter is a shared experience that brings unity. Jesus Himself valued joy among His followers. He said in John 15:11, “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.”
As I reflect on my own relationships, I realize that laughter is often a sign of the strength of those bonds. When we can laugh together, it’s a reflection of shared trust, openness, and joy. Even Jesus likely laughed with His disciples, as He lived life fully with them. His joy would have been contagious, just as ours should be to those around us.
Healing Through Laughter
I’ve also seen laughter bring healing—not just emotionally, but relationally and even spiritually. When tensions run high or misunderstandings abound, a well-timed laugh can break down walls. Ephesians 4:31-32 urges us to “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Sometimes that forgiveness and kindness can be initiated through the disarming nature of laughter.
I’ve had moments in my marriage and friendships where laughter broke the tension and paved the way for reconciliation. In that sense, laughter is not only a blessing but a tool God uses to restore and heal.
Joy in the Lord
Ultimately, laughter reminds me of the greater joy we find in the Lord. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” When I laugh, I am reminded that joy and laughter are eternal gifts from God. The happiness we experience here on earth is just a glimpse of the joy we will experience fully in His presence.
In this life, laughter is indeed a kind of medicine, a remedy God has graciously given us. Whether in times of sorrow or joy, God’s gift of laughter brings us back to Him, reminding us that no matter what, He holds our lives in His hands, and His joy will be our strength.
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