Humour

<<the funny side>>

This is what makes people laugh. People migrate to those who uplift and bring out the funny side of life. All humour should be morally clean and culturally sensitive. Christians should not engage in foolish talk or crude joking (Eph 5:4).

Without causing offense or being derogatory against another person, we can laugh with them at what is amusing yet we should not laugh at them or their misfortune. However, God laughs at the futile efforts of humanity, and because they ignore His wise advice (Ps 2:4, 37:13, 59:8; Prov 1:25,26).  He is not threatened by their puny endeavours but calmly works towards completing His purposes, and in fact even uses such people who are opposed to Him to outwork His plans (Act 4:26-28).

In the midst of his misery, one of Job’s friends said, “He [God] will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy” (Job 8:21). Thus, “There is a time to weep and a time to laugh”, a time of joy after the pain (Ps 30:5; Eccl 3:4).

 “A merry heart is good medicine” (Prov 17:22). This positive frame of mind is beneficial, improving a person’s mood and enhancing interpersonal relationships. The Psalmist records, “Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy” when they celebrated their return from captivity (Ps 126:2).

After the birth of Isaac when she was 90 years old, “Sarah said, God has brought me laughter, and everyone who hears about this will laugh with me” (Gen 17:17, 21:6,7).

See also: fun, joke, joy, positive mental attitude.