There Is Power In Laughter

There is healing and spiritual power in laughter. Real laughing does something that clears the air and breaks through stress and more.

Physically, laughter produces endorphins, which are largely responsible for boosting our mood and relieving pain. They attach to the same receptors in our brain that morphine does. They also increase the production of dopamine, which is related to serotonin. Sometimes these three are called our “happy hormones.”

I have experienced the power in laughter often over the years.  Let’s relate the power in laughter to our Creator.

Yes, our Creator loves laughter. He has a great sense of humor. He made us, didn’t He? 

The recording of a laughing baby is the ringtone for one of my friends her because of her gift. I have experienced her laughter shift atmospheres.  I have experienced her laughter shift atmospheres. 

One time when she was dropping me off at the airport for an overseas trip, she put her hand on me, praying I would have the gift of laughter. 

Wow, was that a gift from Abba for this trip!

The trip leader couldn’t come at the last minute, which shifted all of the teaching to two of us who met for the first time when we landed at our destination. We faced a “new to us” culture, with language translation. There was a lot of room for problems.   

When we were debriefing at the end of the trip, one of the members said: “Every time the stress was thick, you, (speaking to me,) started to laugh, and the stress around us broke instantly.” After we all joined the laughing, we were able to quickly get through whatever issue we were facing at the time.

That was God’s laughter! In all of those instances I could not control the laughter welling up and overflowing.

Why does it work?

As disciples of Jesus, 

we know who is in control, and it is not us.

Our LORD is in control, and the Holy Spirit lives in us.

So, when we see a challenge, sometimes laughter is the best response. 

When we let go, 

Abba comes in.

More recently in a prayer meeting, something happened and all of us were laughing uncontrollably, I, to the point of tears. Agreeing with God in prayer through laughter was exactly what we needed to experience breakthrough. We knew Abba heard and answered our prayers. 

You ask: is there scripture for what you are writing?

Job 8:21

Psalm 37:13; 59:8;

Proverbs 31:25, are only a few.

When faced with prolonged rebellion to His kindness, Abba eventually laughs at the futility of our pride. In Psalm 2, laughter becomes a sign and an instrument, shifting us to humility so His will can be accomplished on earth.

Why are the nations so angry?
    Why do they waste their time with futile plans?
The kings of the earth prepare for battle;
    the rulers plot together
against the Lord
    and against his anointed one.
“Let us break their chains,” they cry,
    “and free ourselves from slavery to God.”

But the one who rules in heaven laughs.
    The Lord scoffs at them.

Then in anger he rebukes them,
    terrifying them with his fierce fury.

For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne
    in Jerusalem,[a] on my holy mountain.”

Our LORD is actually in control. (Isaiah 55:8-9 ) We lose sight of this fact too often. 

When we maintain our gaze on our creator, we are more likely to follow His will.

Psalm 2 laughter aligns us with the Lord of Creation, opposing our and other’s individual pride. The resulting dependance and realignment deepens our relationship with the ONE who knows, sees, and has power over all.

There is power in laughter, to heal physically, to heal spiritually and to bring God’s will to earth as it is in heaven.

Abba, help me to engage with you in a more relational way. I want to laugh with You more. It is not my responsibility to fix or save, but I choose to align with you. I ask for the gift of laughter that heals and moves your hand to bring heaven to earth. Amen

(The smiley image is from google. Click on it for direct access.}

About the author

Andrea Van Boven (Madden): I like to think I am a radical lover of Jesus, but I live in a house and pay bills and look like I fit in with respectable society, like most people. What goes on in my head and heart are hopefully the things that betray the look of "normal" that comes at first glance. I hope those things inside of me seep out to actions as well as words of hope and encouragement. I pray that these in turn will lead others to know the loving Creator who knows us so intimately that he has a number for every hair on every head.

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