Laugh out Loud!
Have you ever laughed so hard that it brought you to tears? You know the kind of "belly laugh" that hardly allows you to get your breath? I remember many instances along life's journey when I have laughed until I cried, laughed until I did a "spit take" or laughed until I had to run to the bathroom to keep from embarrassing myself! I love laughter and I think it is a vital part of a healthy life. My favorite is hearing the laughter of children. I love laughing with my boy! My best friend has her children laughing on her voicemail when you call to leave her a message and it always makes me smile!
Lori Salierno says that we should find something to laugh about each day. She says, we should take time each week and throw ourselves a mini vacation (a party!). Take time each day to enjoy this blessed journey that we are on with Jesus. I looked up the definition of laughter and found the following: "Laughter is an audible expression or appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy (laughing on the inside)."
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for everything, and in verse 4 it says, "a time to weep and a time to laugh." Luke 6:21b says, "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." Psalm 126:2a says, "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy," and Job 8:21 says, "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."
Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." It is true that laughter is good medicine. WebMD says, "We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues. According to WebMD, a medical professor at the University of California Irvine has found that laughter plays a role in helping to fight viruses and bacteria, and possibly cancer and heart disease. Laughter reduces the secretion of stress hormones."
I love the story of Abraham and Sarah found in Genesis. Abraham and Sarah were very old and past childbearing years. In Genesis 17:16-17 we see where God told Abraham that he was going to bless him and Sarah, by giving them a son in their old age. What was Abraham's response in verse 17? "Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himslef, 'Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear me a child at the age of ninety?" We see in the following chapter that as Sarah was in a nearby tent, she overheard the Lord tell her husband, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." (Genesis 18:10) How did Sarah respond to the news, in verse 12? You guessed it, she laughed! I can just picture what that scene was like. Sarah laughed and then denied that she had laughed. (vs. 15) I love what verse 14 says, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
Many times, when we feel as though circumstances are far too difficult to laugh, remember this: Is anything too hard for the LORD? Sweet ones, we can laugh from deep within because we serve a Sovereign God who is in control of every detail of our lives. We serve a God who is on our side! (Romans 8:38). He desires for us to be happy! 1 Timothy 6:17 tells us to put our hope in God, "who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Christians should be the happiest people on the face of the earth! We should radiate with the joy of the Lord. Beth Moore says, "There is no high like the Most High!"
Take some time this week and LOL!! (Laugh out loud!) Laugh with your husband, laugh with your children, laugh with your girlfriends and laugh at yourself! Throw yourself a party! Whether it's a few minutes at Starbucks, a bubble bath, or a cup of coffee and a good book. . . take some time to enjoy this precious life that God has given you. Savor every moment! My husband and I decided that our motto would be to "Laugh Again in 2010!"
Look to Him and your face will be radiant! (Psalm 34:5) Our countenance should reflect God in our lives. SMILE, Journey Girls, and spend some time laughing your heads off with Jesus! I am crazy about you and you make me smile! : )
Giggling with my Journey Girls,
Elisabeth
Lori Salierno says that we should find something to laugh about each day. She says, we should take time each week and throw ourselves a mini vacation (a party!). Take time each day to enjoy this blessed journey that we are on with Jesus. I looked up the definition of laughter and found the following: "Laughter is an audible expression or appearance of happiness, or an inward feeling of joy (laughing on the inside)."
Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that there is a time for everything, and in verse 4 it says, "a time to weep and a time to laugh." Luke 6:21b says, "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh." Psalm 126:2a says, "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy," and Job 8:21 says, "He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy."
Proverbs 17:22 says, "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." It is true that laughter is good medicine. WebMD says, "We change physiologically when we laugh. We stretch muscles throughout our face and body, our pulse and blood pressure go up, and we breathe faster, sending more oxygen to our tissues. According to WebMD, a medical professor at the University of California Irvine has found that laughter plays a role in helping to fight viruses and bacteria, and possibly cancer and heart disease. Laughter reduces the secretion of stress hormones."
I love the story of Abraham and Sarah found in Genesis. Abraham and Sarah were very old and past childbearing years. In Genesis 17:16-17 we see where God told Abraham that he was going to bless him and Sarah, by giving them a son in their old age. What was Abraham's response in verse 17? "Abraham fell facedown; he laughed and said to himslef, 'Will a son be born to a man a hundred years old? Will Sarah bear me a child at the age of ninety?" We see in the following chapter that as Sarah was in a nearby tent, she overheard the Lord tell her husband, "I will surely return to you about this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son." (Genesis 18:10) How did Sarah respond to the news, in verse 12? You guessed it, she laughed! I can just picture what that scene was like. Sarah laughed and then denied that she had laughed. (vs. 15) I love what verse 14 says, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?"
Many times, when we feel as though circumstances are far too difficult to laugh, remember this: Is anything too hard for the LORD? Sweet ones, we can laugh from deep within because we serve a Sovereign God who is in control of every detail of our lives. We serve a God who is on our side! (Romans 8:38). He desires for us to be happy! 1 Timothy 6:17 tells us to put our hope in God, "who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment." Christians should be the happiest people on the face of the earth! We should radiate with the joy of the Lord. Beth Moore says, "There is no high like the Most High!"
Take some time this week and LOL!! (Laugh out loud!) Laugh with your husband, laugh with your children, laugh with your girlfriends and laugh at yourself! Throw yourself a party! Whether it's a few minutes at Starbucks, a bubble bath, or a cup of coffee and a good book. . . take some time to enjoy this precious life that God has given you. Savor every moment! My husband and I decided that our motto would be to "Laugh Again in 2010!"
Look to Him and your face will be radiant! (Psalm 34:5) Our countenance should reflect God in our lives. SMILE, Journey Girls, and spend some time laughing your heads off with Jesus! I am crazy about you and you make me smile! : )
Giggling with my Journey Girls,
Elisabeth
8 Response to Laugh out Loud!
That is so true. I love to laugh! There is no greater feeling then when you are laughing. Unfortunately we often times get too busy to take the time to laugh with one another. Thanks for reminding me of its great importance! I loved the definition of laughter. It really makes you think about whether you show evidence of joy on the inside. Praying for lots of laughter this week!!
Thank you Elisabeth, for reminding me just how important it is laugh and have fun. I think I take life way too serious sometimes, especially with my kids. I am sooo worried all the time about trying to keep them on the traught and narrow that I often take the joy out of things. I so needed this today!! My girl and I are going shoe shoppin' tomorrow and we are gonna have some fun!! Love you!!
I'm am so thankful for people in my life that make me laugh! I remember when I first started dating my husband, one of the things I liked best about him was he made me laugh. And yes, I thank God all the time for the pure joy that my daughter brings me. She makes me laugh ALL THE TIME! I love that about her! Recently, the Lord showed me how important laughter was at work. I did not realize what had happened to me over the years at work. All the stress and problems had taken over me and I was serious and worried and up tight all the time. One of my closest friends (my office mate) suddenly moved away. We had worked together for 20 years. The person they hired to replace her I had real concerns about sharing an office with - and how could it ever be the same. But God had other plans in mind! Although I miss my friend terribly, God sent a new person to our office that laughs all the time! He has changed the entire atmosphere of the office. My closest friends soon pointed out to me how nice it was to see me laugh again! I didn't even realize it! Now our entire office laughs more! Oh, problems are still there. Life always has problems. But Jesus said "you will have problems, but take heart - I have overcome the world"! Laughter is truly a gift from God that we need to receive and take part in! Thank you Elisabeth for this reminder.
Ohhh How I love the sight of laughter. It makes faces shine and eyes sparkle it makes soda come out of places it is not supposed to. No such greater joy then to hear my children laughing in the other room.
Though I am struggling right now to put on a happy smiling face, my mind takes me back to a picture that floated around the internet of Jesus lifting a small child up in the air and he appeared to be laughing. I know he is lifting me up and laughing, as if to say take heed my child for I am in control and I am going to do great things. Thank you Elisabeth for reminding us of those scriptures that say though you are hurting, laugh for he has it all under control. And how it enlarges his heart to see his children laugh and praise him even through the rough times. Nothing is too hard for my Lord!
Christy,
Thank you for laughing with me! We have had SO many of those "belly laughs" together! I love and appreciate your friendship SO much!! Have a blessed week & laugh a lot! :)
Rhonda,
I have done this very same thing so many times! (Just ask Andrew!) You are a great Mom and a great friend! Enjoy shoe shopping with your girl!! I Love you! :)
Ginger,
Thank you for sharing this testimony! I have been there too. I have to watch my facial expressions. Many times my face does not show joy, but worry. It is something I have to work on and give to Christ daily. I love you and hope your weekend is filled with laughter! :)
Vivian,
Yes, He does have everything under control. I am praying for you and praying for you & Rusty to have some laughter. (Even during this tough time) Tom & I have decided we might as well laugh. Crying & being angry doesn't change anything & it's much more fun to laugh together. God is working a marvelous plan for you! I believe GOD!! I love you!! :)
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