“A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” – Proverbs 17:22
“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound!” – Psalm 4:7
“He will fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting.” – Job 8:21
“Then out mouth was filled with laughter, and out tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them’.” – Psalm 126:2
“Health Benefits of Laughter: Stress Relief, Immunity, and More” – Elizabeth Scott, M.S., January 10, 2011
Doctor Scott makes the following observations:
“Laughter reduces the level of stress hormones like cortisol, epinephrine, dopamine and growth hormone.”
REDUCED GROWTH HORMONE? CAN’T WE LEAVE THAT ONE OUT? MAYBE IF WE JUST CHUCKLE A LITTLE AND AVOID A FULL-BELLY LAUGH? – But I digress …
She goes on to state:
“It also increases the level of health-enhancing hormones like endorphins, and neurotransmitters. Laughter increases the number of antibody producing cells and enhances the effectiveness of T-cells. All this means a stronger immune system, as well as fewer physical effects of stress.”
There is so much to be grateful for. And yet the Bible reminds us:
“To everything there is a season and a time for every matter or purpose under heaven. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silent, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
What is this verse saying? Herein is the real, “circle of life.” And through it all God is present. Nothing, absolutely nothing comes as a surprise to God. “Life happens.” Life happens to everyone but no one need pass through it alone. God is wherever you are this very moment. In the moments you may have very little to laugh about, remember to “GIGGLE.”
God Is Good; God Loves Eternally!
God is Great; God’s Love Empowers!
“Blesses are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh!” – Luke 6:21
And for those of you who are on the “upswing of life” remember that this too comes with a few responsible “GIGGLES.”
Get In Gear! God Loves Excitement!
Get It Going! Give Loving Encouragement!
Get In Gear! Get Laughing Enthusiastically!
I’m still bothered by the reduction of growth hormones …
Did I make you giggle?
Loads of luv’n,
Laurie
