"May those who love us love us; and those who do not love us, may God turn their hearts, and if He cannot turn their hearts, may He turn their ankles that we may know them by their limping." -- Irish prayer
A little lightheartedness not taken too literally may produce laughter and lead to more connectedness with people in our circles of intimacy, friendship, participation and exchange. A lot of things in life can get us down especially on-going disagreements with family, friends and others. Staying down is the devil's playground. Believers build relationships in various ways through God. Nehemiah 8:10 New Living Translation Bible says, " . . . Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!"
A laugh or a chuckle can be a part of expressing the joy of the Lord. Genuine laughter has many benefits for our relationship with God, self and others. The following are nine benefits of a laugh or chuckle:
1) reduces stress
2) lowers blood pressure
3) elevates mood
4) boosts the immune system
5) improves brain functioning
6) protects the heart
7) connects us to God and people
8) fosters instant relaxation
9) makes us feel good.
Try to introduce laughter into your relationships several times a day. Helpful and healing laughter doesn't make people feel bad about themselves.
God created each person unique. No two people have the same laugh. Laughter is not elicited from everyone in the same way. Sometimes we bomb sharing jokes, witticisms and other attempts at humor because we haven't thoroughly studied and appreciated the audience. Also "nunca llueve a gusto de todos" (it never rains to everyone's taste/you can't please everybody). But don't give up or get stuck. A Japanese proverbs says, "Fall down seven times, get up eight times." Keep on asking God to help you to inspire people to laugh or chuckle.
Please share an uplifting joke, witticism or other form of humor. Romans 14:17 Amplified Bible says, "[After all] the kingdom of God is . . . righteousness (that state which makes a person acceptable to God) and [heart] peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
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