Passage:

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭17:22‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

http://bible.com/114/pro.17.22.nkjv

Paraphrase:

Laughter does a body good; it’s like medicine for the sick soul. A killjoy sucks the life right out of your bones.

Premise:

God gave us laughter and joy as part of our emotional makeup. In fact, being filled with joy is part of of having Holy Spirit inside of us. This doesn’t mean that we laugh in every situation. However, we are able to have a sense of humor, a sense of peace, and a sense of relief in difficult times through Holy Spirit living in us. This is joy.

Moping around in melancholy is not what God intends for our lives. Sometimes, we have to get out and laugh a little to live a lot. Be a friend to make a friend. See the lighter side of life. Be open to new and different things and allow the joy of the Lord to be your strength. You don’t have to LOL at everything to have joy but you will have to trust God with more and more to possess it. Joy isn’t found in possessing it’s actually found in letting go! So let go and laugh a little; you may end up living a lot more today and a lot longer overall.

Ponder:

When was the last time you really laughed out loud?

What makes you happy and joyful?

How does what makes you joyful reflect God’s heart?

What has been stealing your joy?

Principle:

Laughter is healthy and good for you.

Being depressed and downtrodden is not how God wants anyone to live.

Finding joy in life is essential to a meaningful life.

Practice:

Do something fun and enjoyable today.

Laugh together with some friends.

Prayer:

Dear Lord thank you for the gifts of laughter and joy. Thank you for fun times and wonderful memories with friends and loved ones. Thank you for the joy of being alive and found well. Thank you for the joy that comes from serving and giving to others. Thank you for the stregthen and hope found in joy and laughter. Help me to be a source of joy to others.