A Time for Love and Laughter

A Time for Love and Laughter

 (Devotional June 17, 2020)  

                                                                (Part 2)                                                                                                                                       

According to a study out of the University of Chicago, Americans are the unhappiest in 50 years.  Isolation, distancing, and financial hardships have led to the unhappiness in America (50 % to 23% decline) (University of Chicago 2020)                                                           

 So as Christians what do we have to offer to an anxious and isolated country?  The scriptures say Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus joy first day until now. ⁶ I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you^[b] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.  Philippians 1:2-6   

In these passages what is God trying to say to you?   Joy is the central word and what does it really mean?  The Bible has 15 different words in Hebrew (OT) to describe Joy and 8 different words in Greek (NT) to describe Joy.  Afterall the word joy is mentioned 155 times.   The word joy, happiness and laughter can be synonymous, moreover, how much of our time is spent just trying to be happy?

Love and Laughter are contagious and lead us to pray with a glad heart and understand that God has a plan for happiness in our lives. God promotes us, encourages us, and lifts our spirit in times like these.  Love and Laughter are always a work in progress every morning we get out of bed, it requires personal discipline to make it happen. To sidestep the daily morning squabbles that set us off and we need to find the strength, to let Joy inspire us.             The joy of the Lord is your strength” Nehemiah 8:10 

 

Love and laughter bring us together with our family at home.    

“Home is an emotional state, a place in the imagination where feelings of security, belonging, placement, family, protection, memory and personal history abide. -Thomas Moore”                                                                                                                                 

 As children, we used to laugh hundreds of times a day, but as adults, life tends to be more serious and laughter more infrequent. But by seeking out more opportunities for love and laughter, we can improve our emotional health, strengthen our relationships, find greater happiness—and even add years to your life.

Guard your speech. Forsake obscenities and worthless insults; these are nonsensical words that bring disgrace and are unnecessary. Instead, let joy fill your heart and spill out in your words.  Ephesians 5:4    So let it  spill out of your heart, show your joy to an unhappy world.   

·If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap. ·If you want happiness for a day — go fishing. ·If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune. ·If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.  Anonymous