“There is a time for laughter and a time for seriousness. Humor is a gift from God that has the power to hurt or heal.”
Words are powerful. Joy and laughter come from God. Let’s bring joy and encouragement with our words.
We are made in the image of God, and that also means His character. We strive to refine our character to be more like His, but it can be a long road. One aspect we inherit from God is laughter and humor.
As a sarcastic and quick-witted person, I often ponder humor in the Bible. Upon investigation, I discovered some scriptures that are evidently meant to be humorous.
For example, Proverbs 17:22 states: 'A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.'
In conversations filled with laughter and joy, we often feel rejuvenated. It brings God joy to see us joyous and happy.
When we contemplate God and the Bible, we often associate them with reverence, and rightfully so. However, laughter is not commonly the first thought that comes to mind. While we do consider joy as a fruit of the spirit, along with happiness, laughter should also be integral to our perception.
It's hard to envision being filled with joy without experiencing laughter. There's a certain giddiness that accompanies true joy.
Five years ago, I attended a weekend retreat. At that time, I was grappling with feelings of being lost and stuck, struggling to find joy after a challenging period in life. During the retreat, I was able to deeply connect with God, seeking Him earnestly, which brought about healing and joy. He filled the voids and restored my soul and spirit.
Upon leaving the retreat, people remarked on how happy I appeared, and I give all praise to God for that transformation, for bringing me back to a place of experiencing His presence so fully.
Psalm 126:1-3 beautifully illustrates this sentiment: 'When the Lord brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.” Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!'
God restores our joy when we feel we have lost it. He fills us with laughter and joy.
While God does possess a sense of humor, it's important for us to exercise wisdom and discretion in our own use of humor. We are instructed to focus on things that are pleasing to the Lord and to uplift others. Thus, our speech, including our humor, should be edifying.
As Philippians 4:8 advises: 'And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.'
Similarly, 1 Thessalonians 5:11 encourages us: 'So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.'
In your conversations, enjoy laughter and have a good time. However, let your humor be uplifting and encouraging, bringing joy and spiritual strength to those around you. Always be mindful of your words and their impact.