263 – LOL (I mean really Laugh Out Loud)

#faithbites #faithjourney laugh.

When was the last time you just laughed? Take a second and just laugh. It doesn’t matter what it is about, just laugh. It feels good. When I was younger (yup, get off my lawn), LOL, really meant something that made you laugh out loud. Today’s whippersnappers think it means ok. Everything is lol. Are you one of the people who are afraid to give a good full belly laugh as they may be judged. WHO CARES?

At work the other day, I was deep in reviewing applications and writing my dissertation, when I heard nonstop laughing down the hall. I went down to see who was having a party, and it was colleagues, having a good time. It wasn’t work related or anything, just fun. I wanted to be in that laughter. To forget about the stress and the challenges of the day, and just laugh. This morning, a colleague was being a bit sassy and slap happy as was I. THe colleague asked how much sleep I got and I said not much and the colleague said they are like that when sleep deprived. It was a fun meeting.

If God gave us emotions, he knew we needed laughter.

Scripture about laughter

• Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” – Psalm 126:2
• And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” – Genesis 21:6
• This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. – Psalm 118:24

Reflection

We know happy laughter and we know when we are laughed at. The bible is filled with people laughing at Christians, Christ, and believers. This is not about that evil laughter. This about the joy that the Lord brings. Our laughter of harmony and happiness we give praise to God. We should rejoice and be glad in it. From the beginning, in Genesis, even Sarah shouts the joy of laughter from God.

From the Mayo Clinic, we get: stress relief, stimulate organs, relieve stress response, soothe tension, improves immune systems, relieves pain, improves mood, and just helps us feel better. So not only is it good for our bodies it is also good for our souls.

Charge

This charge is easy: laugh. Then don’t hold back. Don’t worry about what someone will think of you or how they will react. Have a good time and laugh. There is time enough in life to be serious. Always remember to praise God through your humor and laughter.

Lord, let me always have my humor. Let me laugh fully and completely showing respect and praise for the gift you have given us.