Laughter has many advantages. It releases stress; improves our immune system; can be good exercise; improves blood pressure; and levels out hormones. It also expresses many emotions, so there are many types for different uses. Snicker, giggle and guffaw are just a few types of laughter.
I was told decades ago that having a sense of humor was essential to adapting well to different cultures and situations. It is not about laughing at things that are new to us. More importantly we need to be able to laugh at ourselves when we don’t fit in. In new places it is easy to say or do things that fit our culture, but not the new one. We can choose to be embarrassed and hide, or laugh and enjoy the learning experience. Learning new languages always affords opportunities to laugh. Trust me here.
I opened with snicker, giggle, and guffaw as types of laughter because they represent the prominent influences behind the ways we laugh. Snicker falls into the laugh at category. A snicker especially, mocks others, shows contempt, or even shames another. For example, Matt 9:24, ““Get out!” he [Jesus] told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him.” [ridiculed him: TPT] Acts 17:32 is an example of laughing with contempt; While Gen. 38:23 shows laughter that shames. When we laugh at others in these ways it is actually a kind of weapon trying to manipulate and control.
Giggles on the other hand, can be a nervous expression of disbelief, like Abraham and Sarah not believing they could conceive their promised heir in their old age. Genesis 12:17;18:12. Giggling is more of a middle ground expression of humor, especially if we are not sure if a laugh is appropriate. Giggles usually bubble up unexpectedly.
The laughter I love is when we laugh with others in great guffaws from deep inside our beings. The Psalms have many examples of Happy and joy filled laughing. Psalm 126:2 is only one example: “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the Lord has done for them.”
But probably my favorite laughter is when it flows from our confidence in the love and power of our Creator. Ps 2:2a,4 “The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord. . . But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.”
I want to walk with that God. I love the glimpses I have had, grasping at least a little bit of the transcendence and intimacy of the Lord. Those opportunities are when I realize, that the things I fear, are relatively ridiculous to the Lord.
Proverbs 31 describes the woman of character, arguably an allegory of the Bride of Christ. “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” (V25) That is how I want to be. I do not even want fear as an option because I know our Creator is BIGGER than all our problems. No Matter what happens Abba works all things together for good. It may be tough or painful for a while, but wait. Abba is the God who is always present, and loving, and mighty to save.
Abba, I suspect we can all laugh more. I ask that you give us your perspective. We want to laugh with you and with each other. May we reap the rewards of a life full of knowing, healing, laughter. Amen
