A source of Inner Strength
The Important Role Laughter Can Play in Your Spiritual Life
When we abide in joy our spirit is strengthened and equipped to deal with difficult circumstances or challenges. There is an anointing that comes from joy that strengthens us when there is no strength left. Joy is also a big part of pushing the reset button on emotional trauma, especially when we operate it by faith. One way to do so is through laughter. When we choose to laugh, we choose the joy of the Lord, and that decision positively affects spirit, soul and body. It’s who we are really meant to be in Christ.
The “Biology of Hope” is found in the Bible
Norman Cousins was a journalist and an editor of the Saturday Review and he was also a pioneer in the idea that beliefs, thoughts and emotions have biological effects (“biotranslation”). Forty years ago, few scientists would have likely agreed with Cousins. Today, researchers like Berk are beginning to pinpoint exactly what thoughts can drive which effects, and they are finding that, in addition to what resides in our bodies, what resides in our brains and mind is important, too.
The Bible tells us, and now science confirms it—a merry heart does good like medicine—spirit, soul and body (Proverbs 17:22).
Kenneth Copeland recently sat down with renowned neurosurgeon, Dr Avery Jackson, for a powerful discussion about the effects of laughter on our overall wellbeing. In this interview, Dr. Jackson explains the effects of laughter on the health of our spirit, soul and body, and shares how recent research proves that laughter, in conjunction with exercise, will repair the body far beyond anything we can do in the natural.
“If you want to live in divine health—spirit, soul, and body—get your body moving and get your daily belly laughs!”
Dr. Jackson says that God’s prescription for health includes laughter: “God built in mechanisms to heal our imperfect, earthly bodies. Laughter is one of them.” In light of this, it’s easy to see why the joy of the Lord is the strength of our spirit, our mind and body, too (Nehemiah 8:10). The Bible tells us to “count it all joy” (James 1:2, NKJV) in every circumstance, for our own physical, mental and spiritual protection.
Dr. Jackson recommends combining laughter with physical and spiritual exercise. He likes to dance in the spirit or pray in the spirit while doing other physical activities. Then, he works to get in as many belly laughs each day as possible. “When you do,” he says, “you obey God by making Him your joy and refusing to take on the stress of the world.”
Steve Backlund, founder of Igniting Hope Ministries, is a speaker and author of many books, being one of them Possessing Joy: A Secret to Strength and Longevity. He travels extensively throughout the world encouraging churches, leaders, and organizations into catalytic levels of hope. Amongst other things he calls himself a “joy activist” and he recognises that “religious tradition has devalued the role gladness and laughter have for personal victory and kingdom advancement.” The Bible says that “In His presence is fullness of joy” (Psalms 16:11). According to Steve, although God’s presence may not always produce joy, “If we never or rarely have fullness of joy, we must reevaluate our concept of God.”
Steve Backlund also teaches that laughing from an overflow of joy in the Spirit has tremendous spiritual benefits. When we laugh, we can’t hold on to sadness, anger or despair. Those things cannot coexist with laughter, so we have to let them go and by doing so, we open our hearts and souls to the possibility of change and transformation from within. Also, when we laugh, we defy the devil’s ability to bring sadness, fear or despair into our life. When we laugh at his lack of authority, instead of dreading the future, we will “laugh at the days to come” (Proverbs 31:25).
The Bible says the Lord sits in the heavens and laughs at the plans of His enemies (Psalm 2:4). So, we should follow His example and do that, too. One of Steve’s methods to bring strength through joy is rooted in Psalms 2:4 and it consists in laughing out loud at every belief that is contrary to biblical truth. The truth sets us free and laughing at the lies of the enemy makes way for that liberating truth to be established.
The good news is that we can make the decision to laugh every day. It can be the opposite of what we feel like doing when we’re in pain, but if we focus on exercising and laughing, in combination with speaking the Word of God and standing on His Word for healing and restoration, we can take control over what may seem like an out-of-control situation.
“This gives us more than enough reason to make laughter a daily goal!” Steve’s personal goal is to laugh 400 times a day and he invites everyone to join him and find the funny in everyday life!
How can we get our daily laughter in?
In his book, The God Prescription, Dr. Avery Jackson prescribes the following:
- Laugh, even when you don’t feel like it.
- Watch or listen to positive comedians.
- Read comics in the newspaper.
- Watch funny videos on YouTube® (showing the hilarious antics of children and animals).
- But you can also have a laugh with the Gnome of the Lord
At the end of the day, “The best source of laughter is the overflowing joy that comes from an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.”
Laughter is free, easy, fun and without side effects. Take the Bible’s advice and spend time developing a merry heart. Find things that make you laugh and include them in your everyday life. You can laugh yourself healthy and strong—spirit, soul and body!
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