LAUGH

by Tammy Phillips
July 9, 2020

 So, I commended enjoyment, because a man has nothing better under the sun than to eat, drink, and be merry. – Ecclesiastes 8:15 NKJV

We all are going through so much in 2020.  Craziness and pressure attempt to close in on us.  Lately, the fiery darts have been coming faster and with more fury in our family.  I could make a long list. I could share the trials and tribulations, but I do not want to depress nor overwhelm you with our trouble.  You have your own  mumbo jumbo, poppycock, gobbledygook to deal with.  I also do not want to concentrate on the challenges but stay focused on Jesus.  We are all good because we have God.   We must choose to make the best of the bad and enjoy every moment that God has given us.

I, along with the Preacher of Ecclesiastes, recommend enjoyment!  LAUGH!  Enjoyment is the Hebrew word simach which means joy, gladness, to be very joyful, specifically, joyful voices and joyful cries.   

Yesterday, the Holy Spirit led me to Psalm 2:4,

“He who sits in the heavens shall laugh.”

If God is sitting and  laughing with all He has to manage in the world, then His example is good one to follow.  Later in the day, I received more encouragement , my friend, texted:

“Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great [is] your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. – Matthew 5:12 NKJV

I hear you Lord!  I feel the pressure.  I am going to stop.  I am going to laugh.   I am going to laugh out loud.  I am going to choose to laugh hard and long until my sides hurt.  One cannot laugh and brood at the same time.  I am passing on the same instruction to you that I received:

LAUGH! REJOICE!
BE EXCEEDINGLY GLAD! BE MERRY!

“Trouble knocked at the door, but, hearing laughter, hurried away”. – Benjamin Franklin

LAUGH:

It relaxes the whole body.
It relieves physical tension and stress.
It improves the immune system.
It decreases stress hormones.
It increases antibodies.
It increase endorphins.
It relieves pain.
It replenishes the lungs.
It prevents heart disease.
It increases blood flow.
It may increase life span.
It stops distressing emotions.
It helps relax and recharge.
It helps with focus.
It is contagious!

I enCOURAGE you to LAUGH!  LOL!

“With the fearful strain that is on me night and day, if I did not laugh, I should die”. –Abraham Lincoln