Take Two Chuckles and Call me in the Morning.

  We all have moments we’d rather not remember. Some are so painful we bury them beneath layers of pretence. Others leave us wishing we could somehow rewind our lives and do things differently the second time. Some memories can make us turn scarlet red at the mere thought of them. Like the time when I fell five steps down the stairs at the university campus during my college days. Life most embarrassing moment. Talk about humiliation!

  Most of us laugh at these kinds of situations long after they are over, but just think how much more easily they would be endured if we could laugh when we’re actually going through them.

   Laughter heals. The Bible tells us that "A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22). Jesus said during a time of great distress, "In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:34 niv). And God’s instructions to Nehemiah were, "Do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10). The Bible is rife with exhortations to laugh and enjoy life.

   Too many Christians have fallen prey to the notion that mature reverence for the Lord equals a dour disposition. But the opposite is true. "When did a healthy, well-exercised sense of humor get sacrificed on the altar of adulthood?"  Some of us appreciate the humor in others, but fail to cultivate it in our own lives. How do we obtain an appreciation for the more comical side of life?

   First, we have to realize that we can and should laugh. Have you ever wondered whether or not God has a sense of humor? Take a look in the mirror (just kidding). But seriously, when you pause to think about all the things that make you laugh–blunders you and your friends have made, goofy looking animals at the zoo, awkward and unintended situations–remember that God sees these things too. Do you think He too might be laughing? "He must have smiled, for example, when Elijah mocked the false prophets on Mount Carmel, asking whether their gods had gone on a journey or fallen asleep or were indisposed (1Kings 18:27)!" writes Swindoll. "And what about that fellow named Eutychus who listened to Paul preach and fell out of a third-story window (Acts 20:9)? Don’t worry, he recovered . . . but are you going to sit there and tell me God didn’t find humor in that scenario?"

   Once you free yourself to laugh at life, you can begin to adjust your attitude. Cultivating a good attitude will breathe more life into your bones than any man-made remedy on earth. For example: When faced with a threatening situation, your natural inclination is to run away or to defend yourself. But the Bible tells us that God will honor our decision to demonstrate an attitude of humility (see Proverbs 15:1 and 16:7). When you follow God’s guidelines, hate and fear are replaced with feelings of peace and happiness. Not only is the situation diffused, but your nerves are calmed as well. The same principle applies when choosing to look on the bright side of life.

   The whole process begins with knowing Jesus Christ in a personal way and allowing Him to take the blows of life for you. If you willingly do His will, you will find He gives you joy beyond understanding. "When we acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord and begin to release our cares, our disappointments, and our heartaches to Him, we not only keep our equilibrium, we also keep our sense of humor," as one great author said "Joys multiply when we have someone to bear our burdens."

   Joy begins with the realization that God is in everything. He has promised that all things work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28), and His promises are not void. The more secure we are in our beliefs, the easier it becomes to see the comical side of life. So the next time you fall asleep in church only to wake up at the sound of your own snoring, remember . . . life is very often a laughing matter.

shared by: Brod Jun Mayol