Laughter Is Indeed Divine Medicine!

A doctor once told a patient, “If you do not have a sense of humor, you’ll have to take medicine.” In front of him was a Bible that was opened to Proverbs 17:22: “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.“ When we laugh, a large supply of oxygen is pumped into our lungs; muscles that are in need of exercise are used; the whole body has a feeling of well-being. In one study, it was found that laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels.

One doctor who specialized in ulcers, encouraged his patients to clip out side-splitting jokes and read them to their families around the dinner table, so all could benefit from the natural ensuing laughter that would occur. It’s a known fact that cheerful people can resist disease better than those who are glum and serious all of the time.

The Proverb writer agrees: “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance, But by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken” (Proverbs 15:13). “All the days of the afflicted are evil, But he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15).

After Harry Truman became President, one senator was heard to say, “I’m glad the president hasn’t lost his sense of humor.” The President replied, “Any man who has had the job I’ve had, and didn’t have a sense of humor wouldn’t still be here.” During a critical time in his presidency, Abraham Lincoln called a meeting of his cabinet, and began reading to them some humorous excerpts from a book. Some in attendance didn’t appreciate the humor. Lincoln told them, “Gentlemen, why don’t you laugh? If I didn’t laugh with the strain that is on me day and night, I would go mad. And you need the medicine of laughter as much as I do.”

Beloved, the bottom line is this: Laughter is indeed divine medicine! Let’s not be afraid to incorporate humor into our daily living. Preachers and teachers of God’s word who incorporate humor into their preaching and teaching will see more of a positive response from their audience than those who do not. Laughter is God’s prescription to man in handling tension, relieving suffering, and bringing peace to the soul.

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets