Sermon Central
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Laughter Is The Best Medicine
Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Mar 16, 2008 (message contributor)
Summary: Three Biblical Ways to Inject Humor into Your Lives
“Laughter IS the best medicine!”
Dr. Randy Deal
THREE BIBLICAL WAYS TO INJECT HUMOR INTO YOUR LIFE:
1. LOOK FOR LAUGHTER!
For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven…A time to cry and a time to LAUGH. A time to grieve and a time to dance.” Ecclesiastes 3:1,4 (NLT)
We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ Psalms 126:3 (NLT)
For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15 (NLT)
Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble. Job 14:1 (NIV)
Better to spend your time at funerals than at parties. After all, everyone dies—so the living should take this to heart. Sorrow is better than laughter, for sadness has a refining influence on us. Ecclesiastes 7:3 (NLT)
2. TAKE A DAILY DOSE OF LAUGHTER!
A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. Proverbs 15:30 (NLT)
A cheerful heart is good medicine. Proverbs 17:22a (NLT)
A relaxed attitude lengthens a man’s life. Proverbs 14:30 (TLB)
3. FOLLOW THE CREATOR OF LAUGHTER!
The One enthroned in heaven laughs. Psalm 2:4 (NIV)
Matthew 11:19, Matthew 9:15, Matthew 12:3-4
www.joyfulnoiseletter.com, www.jesuslaughing.com, www.picturesofjesus4you.com
Matthew 23:24, Mark 10:25, Luke 11:39, Matthew 12:26-28, Luke 6:39, Matthew 8:22, Luke 6:44, 8:16, Matthew 7:3-5
“Laughter IS the best medicine!”
INTRODUCTION:
Ken Davis DVD “Lighten Up & Laugh!” Video (5” Clip) Start: “I am here to tell you one truth…” End: “Tell Your Face…the GOOD News has not reached your face!”
IT’S GOOD TO LAUGH, ISN’T IT!?!
That’s how I remember Sunday mornings growing up going to church. My Dad gave us time warnings….FIVE MINUTES!
God is the author of Joy! God is okay with your laughter! He CREATED laughter!
DID YOU KNOW YOU CAN EVEN LAUGH IN CHURCH? People should be breaking down the doors of Rock Point Church to find out what all the fun and LAUGHTER and JOY and celebration is all about!
LAUGHTER REALLY IS THE BEST MEDICINE…FOR A HOST OF AILMENTS!
Definition of laughter: “to express certain emotions, especially mirth or delight, by a series of spontaneous, usually unarticulated sounds often accompanied by corresponding facial and bodily movements.” The definition itself makes me want to laugh!
LAUGHTER is a FUNNY thing! NO PUN INTENDED!
When we LAUGH, our body performs "rhythmic, vocalized, expiratory, and involuntary actions." Fifteen facial muscles contract and there is electrical stimulation of the zygomatic major muscle. That’s the muscle that extends from each cheekbone to the corners of the mouth. It raises the corners of the mouth when a person smiles. Currents of varying intensity produce a wide range of facial responses. The respiratory system is upset by the epiglottis half-closing, so that air intake occurs in irregular gasps, rather than calm breaths. Under extreme circumstances, the tear ducts are activated, so that while the mouth is opening and closing and there is a struggle for a sufficient amount of oxygen intake, the face becomes moist and often red. Noises often accompany this odd behavior "ranging from controlled snickers, escaped chortles, and spontaneous giggles, to ridiculous cackles, noisy hoots, and up-roarious guffaws."
LAUGHTER is an amazing thing! It’s a tension dissolver. It’s an antidote to anxiety. It’s just like a tranquilizer, but without any side effects. And it’s free! You don’t even need a prescription.
Laughter is life’s shock absorber! If WE want to have less stress in our lives, we NEED to learn to laugh at our circumstances! We have GOT TO find the fun in the frustrating!
Someone once asked President Lincoln how he handled all the stresses of the Civil War. He said, “If it hadn’t been for laughter, I could not have made it.”
Many famous comedians grew up in poor neighborhoods with lots of problems. They coped with their troubles by learning to laugh and making others laugh.
We need to LAUGH more! In fact, some of you need to LEARN to LAUGH!
HERE’S WHAT I BELIEVE: “If you can laugh at it, you can live with it!”
And besides, if WE learn to laugh at our problems, we’ll never RUN OUT of anything to laugh at! Life is full of funny situations!
Will Rogers – “I don’t know any jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.”
THERESA OF AVILA, A SPANISH NUN said “SHE WHO LAUGHS, LASTS!” She used to look for novices who knew how to LAUGH, EAT AND SLEEP. She believed that if they ate heartily they were healthy, if they slept well they were more likely free of serious sin, and if they LAUGHED, they had the necessary disposition to survive a difficult life.
JEWISH PROVERB - “What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.”
