Benefits of Laughter

Beloved, with Jesus’ love, I warmly welcome you to another Sunday in our Season of Divine Laughter. True and genuine laughter will fill your mouth and family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Laughter is strong medicine. It draws people together in ways that trigger healthy physical and emotional changes in the body. Laughter strengthens your immune system, boosts mood, diminishes pain, and protects you from the damaging effects of stress. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humour lightens your burdens, inspires hope, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert. It also helps you release anger and forgive sooner.

Laughter is good for your health. There are so many physical benefits we derive from laughter.

Researchers say:

• Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
• Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
• Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
• Laughter burns calories. Okay, so it’s no replacement for going to the gym, but one study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 40 calories—which could be enough to lose three or four pounds over the course of a year.
• Laughter lightens anger’s heavy load. Nothing diffuses anger and conflict faster than a shared laugh. Looking at the funny side can put problems into perspective and enable you to move on from confrontations without holding onto bitterness or resentment.
• Laughter may even help you to live longer. A study in Norway found that people with a strong sense of humour outlived those who don’t laugh as much.

No wonder people pay so much to attend shows that will make them laugh. You don’t need to pay so much as God as more than able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20).

What then are the Spiritual Benefits of Laughter?

1. Laughter gives you a heart of gratitude.
   Psalm 126:1-3 says, “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.
   Psalm 30:11-12, You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
2. Helps you to hold on to God’s promises and plan for your life. It can be challenging to laugh through difficult situations.
   Proverbs 31:25 says, “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future”. A virtuous woman walks in strength and dignity, to the point where she can laugh without fear of the future. This is because her strength is not found in herself, but rather in God and His promises. Psalm 52:5-8 says, “But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home and uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see it and be amazed. They will laugh and say, “Look what happens to mighty warriors who do not trust in God. They trust their wealth instead and grow bolder in their wickedness.” But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.
3. You will be surrounded by positive and joyful environments.
   1 Chronicles 15:28-29 says, “So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant with shouts of joy, the blowing of rams’ horns and trumpets, the crashing of cymbals, and loud playing on harps and lyres. But as the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant entered the City of David, Michal, the daughter of Saul, looked down from her window. When she saw King David skipping about and laughing with joy, she was filled with contempt for him.
4. Laughter sets the right tone for your day.
   Setting the right tone for the day is key to having a great and successful day. Laughter plays a key role in setting the right tone for the day. We have heard people saying, “I woke up from the wrong side of the bed today”. When you wake up with laughter on your face, you’re sure to have a good day. Job 8:21 says, “He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy.
5. Waiting on God will not be a big issue.
   Knowing God is an issue and waiting on God is a bigger issue. Many people in the Church today have great knowledge of God. They know God like the children of Israel did in the wilderness but when it comes to waiting on Him, they are nowhere to be found. Psalm 78:17-20 says, “But they sinned even more against Him By rebelling against the Most High in the wilderness. And they tested God in their heart By asking for the food of their fancy. Yes, they spoke against God: They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness? Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?”
6. When God fills your life with Divine Laughter, strength for the Journey will not be an issue. We all need strength or extra oil for the journey ahead. Matthew 25:1-13, the parable of the wise and foolish virgin.