Good morning joyful ones!

Did you know that it’s been proven that people that LAUGH on a regular basis are healthier, live longer, have better relationships, and make better decisions?  

There are all kinds of BENEFITS that come from LAUGHTER, but it’s easy to get weighed down by the pressures of life.  If we’re not careful, we’ll let everything become so intense and so pressured that we never LAUGH, we never have any fun, and we become burdened down by life.  Family, our bodies were never meant to live this way.  

One of the best stress-relievers that God ever created is:  LAUGHTER!

When you’re good-natured and you take time to see the humor in life and LAUGH every day, it’s just like you’re taking medicine.  The Scripture says in Proverbs 17:22,

  • A merry heart doeth good like a medicine.  

A merry heart reduces blood pressure, it activates the body’s natural tranquilizers that help lower stress, and it helps us to sleep better.  

LAUGHTER strengthens our immune system; it releases endorphins that makes us feel better, and increases our brain function.  

When you LAUGH regularly, you’re going to make better decisions.  

LAUGHTER helps stimulate the brain.  Normally, we use the LEFT SIDE, but when we LAUGH, we use the RIGHT SIDE.

LAUGHTER not only stimulates our brain, but it helps to bring down the walls.  When you LAUGH with someone, their defenses come down.  They can be a total stranger, but LAUGHTER will help open the door – They’ll be a lot more likely to hear what you have to say.  

LAUGHTER makes people receptive ~ It’s a common denominator.  LAUGHTER is attractive and it draws people together.  

Psalm 126:2 says,

  • When we were filled with LAUGHTER, the other nations took notice and they said, “What amazing things God has done for them.” 

When you’re filled with LAUGHTER, people will take notice.  It not only honors God to be happy and live a joy-filled, faith-filled life, but LAUGHTER will cause other people to be drawn to you.  

Family, there’s too much sadness in our world today.  Many people have lost the joy of living.  They’ve been beaten down by life, burdened by problems, by disappointments, and by heartache.  

I exhort you to make it your business to bring JOY everywhere you go.  Stand out in the crowd!  Afterall, Jesus said in Matthew 5:14,

  • You are the light of the world.  

One of the best witnesses we can be to the world is to be full of JOY.  We should be fun to be around.  There is healing power in LAUGHTER.  When the JOY OF THE LORD bubbles up out of you, that LAUGHTER can break the bondages of their depression, their sadness, and their despair.  

I encourage you to take time to LAUGH every day!  It will not only affect you mentally, like your mood, your creativity, and your thoughts, but it will even affect you physically.  LAUGHTER can help you stay young.  Every time you LAUGH, what’s known as “The Youth Hormone” increases 87%.  That’s the hormone that slows down the aging process and keeps us fresher and younger.  

Proverbs 17:22 (NLT) says,

  • A cheerful disposition is good for your health; doom and gloom leave you bone-tired.  

When we live sour, discouraged, stressed and depressed, we’re opening up the door for sickness and disease.  I believe some people would see their healing from headaches, stomach-aches, and sleep problems if they would simply start LAUGHING more often.  

LAUGHTER is as powerful as many drugs, but it’s a lot less expensive and it has no negative side effects.  

Every time we LAUGH, healing, favor, and blessing is released in our system. 

Randy and I as ministers have a lot of responsibility, but we still have fun and LAUGH.  LAUGHTER relieves the stress!  

So, stay full of joy – Take the time to LAUGH everyday!  Remember Nehemiah 8:10 says,

  • Do not sorrow, for the JOY of the Lord is your strength.  

“Father, You want to fill our mouths with LAUGHTER (Job 8:21).  We know that this not only brings honor to You, but we’ll enjoy life more, have better relationships, live healthier, and be more creative.  Help us to finish our course with JOY, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.”

Filled with JOY,

Lisa Gordon

Assistant Pastor

Jesus City Church