I love to laugh. Come to think of it…is there anyone who doesn’t like to laugh (and would you trust them if they didn’t? I love a good joke, for example…

A couple of hunters are out in the woods when one of them falls to the ground. He doesn’t seem to be breathing, his eyes are rolled back in his head. The other guy whips out his cell phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps to the operator: “My friend is dead! What can I do?” The operator, in a calm, soothing voice, says: “Just take it easy. I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead. “There is a silence, then a shot is heard. The guy’s voice comes back on the line. He says: “Okay, now what?”

I laugh at myself, I laugh with others (I try to not laugh at them too often). Laughing feels good. It’s fun. “They” say it’s the best medicine. We laugh a lot in our family and I love to hear my kids’ laughter. It keeps us from taking life and ourselves too seriously. Laughter is good for the soul.

That last sentence got me thinking today about what Scripture says about laughter. I must admit I couldn’t think of a single verse off the top of my head that dealt with laughter. But God invented it so it has to be there right?

So I went on a little search. Most of the references to laughter are about laughing at someone’s defeat (see the Psalms) or someone laughing at something God told them (see Sarah). But there are a few positive references…

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)

God blesses you who weep now, for in due time you will laugh. (Luke 6:21, NLT)

And Nehemiah continued, “Go and celebrate with a feast of rich foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10, NLT)