LAUGHTER IS GOOD MEDICINE
07th Jan 2015
The Bible clearly states that laughter is good medicine and medical science also confirms that endorphins are released during laughter, which has an effect on pain levels, releases healing and improves well being. “A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).
In a similar way joy and strength are linked, and with so much depression and heaviness around us in society, we certainly need to keep our joy levels up.
A man named Norman Cousins wrote a book entitled, “The anatomy of an illness” in which he describes how laughter was an enormous positive factor in his own healing. He tells how he spent a whole month watching old “Groucho Marx” films and saw a definite connection between belly laughter and pain relief.
I am reminded of an amazing healing that I witnessed and was involved in. A Caribbean friend had just been released from a period in hospital, following a flare up of sickle cell anaemia. She was attending a special training session of our church ministry team being led by Ian Andrews. At some point in the evening Ian was teaching about God using laughter to rebuke the work of satan. (Psalm 2:4)
He asked if anyone was in pain physically at that moment. My friend, sitting beside me indicated she was in a lot of pain. Ian spoke to me and said, “Laugh at it!” As it was a practical teaching session, he was expecting action. I felt somewhat inadequate and foolish, but obeyed, laid my hands on my friend and started to laugh in a rather forced way. Very soon I felt the authority and outrage of the Spirit of God as this dear one was struggling with such an awful physical issue. She then joined me in laughing, first in a rebuking way and then with great joy as the pain receded and left. Her healing was complete, she has never experienced another flare up incident!
Laughter is good medicine. A cheerful heart gives strength to the bones. Throw off the spirit of heaviness and put on the garment of praise - today! (Isaiah 61:3)
I guarantee you will feel better!
by Joyce Sibthorpe
