LAUGHTER IS MEDICINE WE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT

From Healthguide.org the benefits of laughter proves what the Bible teaches.  Proverbs 15:13 says, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit."  

Laughter is good for your health

• 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.

I wondered about laughter and the Lord.  We never see Jesus laughing in Scriptures.  We see sober and somber pictures of Jesus with the light behind his head.  No smiles are seen on him like the Mona Lisa.  Smiles were not part of the art world at that time.  Life in art was seen as almost emotionless. 

However, I can see Jesus playing with the same children which the disciples tried to keep from him.  I can see him laughing and joking with the same disciples who walked with him for three years.  I see Jesus joking with Philip when he asked him about feeding the thousands knowing what he would do to take care of that need.  When Jesus said to his disciples, "You of little faith," probably had a smile behind his lips because he loved them so much.

Laughing does not have to be because the joke was offensive, sexual, or even political.  Laughter is the best medicine because it was given to us by God.  I said before, if you want to make God laugh, make plans