HUMOR AND JOY

(reprinted in part from a series in summer, 2015)

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” Prov. 17:22

Humor can be great fun. We could stop right there and launch into many humorous jokes and anecdotes. But let’s just add this: laughing can provide many health benefits. (It’s also free. And it engages the body in calorie-burning and muscle-toning exercise without gym fees, special exercise outfits, uniforms or equipment). There is actually a science of laughter… Legitimately researched!

So let’s name a few other positive side effects:

Provides stress relief (Lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone)… Produces better memory recall… Burns calories… Helps with immune system and the cardiovascular system… Jogs internal organs and the lymph system… Good for the respiratory system, opening up lungs… Puts into gear the natural relaxation mechanisms of the body… Tones abdominal muscles (!)… Boosts mood states… Breaks cycles of mental negativity… The preceding statements are all true, with many legitimate, scientific studies to back them up… but… it was once reported that “ONE MINUTE OF LAUGHTER GIVES YOU THE SAME BENEFIT AS 10 MINUTES ON A ROWING MACHINE”. Sorry… urban legend… “The size of that particular research sample was… one person.”* But that same “one person” was Dr. William Fry of Stanford University, who found that laughing 200 times (not just one minute) will do the trick. Laughing for one minute CAN raise the heart rate in similar ways as exercising forseveralminutes. (I call that a pretty good trade-off.) *http://www.laughteronlineuniversity.com/laughter-cardiovascular-benefits/

All this means that laughter and humor is really good for the whole person... and for the soul.I believe that humor helps lighten the burdens of life. It is a temporary solution if the problems are overwhelming, but it is far better than just a “band-aid”. It can sometimes turn “bad” feelings right side up—even if it is just for the duration of a laugh or smile… But it is that brief distraction… that momentary connection that just may be enough to rekindle hope… It is as if the pain/problems/ troubles/ pressures are temporarily interrupted and dissipated. 

This small disruption doesn’t mean that all the difficult stuff is “cured”, but the troubles have perhaps been shifted into a different perspective. Somehow, there is a subliminal message saying, “Life seems good again... Maybe there will be something else to laugh about tomorrow, and the next day, and the next…”

I am reminded of the T.V. show “Mash”. Somehow in the midst of serious anquish and even death there was humor and a realistic acknowledgment of the pain. (I believe we need a high level of sensitivity to and understanding and affirmation of any severe distress issues that affect those currently dealing with pain and troubles… starting where their feelings are, and only using humor as appropriate--after they first feel our compassion and understanding.) 

The “Mash” doctors (usually!) did not fail to address the problems which continually knocked on the doors of their tents. They simply lived out a sense of the “ridiculous” in a more extreme way than big-city doctors stateside were doing… or felt compelled to do. In the war zone setting, they continuously lived mostly quite powerless over a great many factors in their lives—including “reasonable office hours”. The daily radical encounters with pain, death, and misery that they experienced tugged hard at the extremities of humor.

I am quite convinced that humor is a mighty weapon (albeit, temporary and limited) against fear, discouragement, doubt, depression, unfruitful anger, problems not readily solved, and even [non-clinical] ‘insanity’. For me, in those very real wrestling matches, it’s a quite preferable and winning alternative!

Deeper and more sustained answers then come a little more readily—with a little less stress. More substantial and necessary coping solutions, perspectives and patterns—along with the deepest, holiest, and truest character traits— co-exist quite comfortably with good humor. We have a long history of saints and outstanding historical figures who attest to this fact.

HUMOR AND JOY

How do we reconcile “humor” and “joy”? Frankly, there are some who question humor, and even wonder if it is helps create a poor substitute for the deeper existence of joy. Let’s look at that.

Humor is not meant to be a substitute for facing life, travelling through grief, or for finding true joy. Humor can, however,be a temporary de-stressor or a momentary break from a number of negative situations and emotions...as we mentioned above. In the midst of some overwhelming burdens or situations, it can be like a little “pick me up”. Sometimes, even a little bit of humor can restore our ability to “hang on” or “hang in there” just a little bit longer… until real help, real relief, real answers or real joy are found.

True joy is both discovered and it is received. We can “prime the pump” by deliberately and gratefully choosing to rejoice—even when we don’t quite “feel” like it. Joy is developed as a fruit in us by the Holy Spirit, and is a work of God—as He forms and shapes us, as we willingly surrender to the work of His hands. It is a by-product of dying with Christ. The depths of joy that is from Him can be expressed in many ways—sometimes in song and praise… sometimes in grateful words… sometimes in dance… and sometimes in a quiet peace that echoes “It is well with my soul”—no matter what.

“Yes”—to the unasked question—there is quite a bit of humor that is destructive, hurtful or inappropriate. One drawback to humor is that it is too easy to use it to be covertly mean. (Sometimes this is done by individuals who will then try to put the blame on the recipients, implying that their sense of humor is lacking…)

What is under our own control (in what we say or do, or how we respond) is our choice to make—hopefully, resulting in a life-giving and loving selection. But it is God, Himself, who gave us our emotions, and the emotional outlet of laughter. Like any and all emotional expressions, we need to choose wisely just when and how they are expressed. Our own motives, and consideration for the sensitivities of others, all need to be weighed. 

Humor can be very enjoyable and still be everything good… and kind, too. Although I understand the concerns, I regret to see humor completely “outlawed” by some as “unspiritual” just because it needs to be handled well… not carelessly.

The 21^stcentury is racing towards lifestyles and situations that—from a Christian and biblical point of view—embroil us in more and more “messy” situations, circumstances, alternatives…and even “assumed” and “presumed” perspectives that hang like gray clouds in the “atmosphere”. We need clear vision, continuous deliberate choices (this is not a time, age or place to just “float along”…), good fellowship, lots of help from God, and healthy outlets for the on-going stress.

Humor can be one of those outlets. It can be done well, and bless many people in the process. Let’s be part of that enjoyable, encouraging, loving approach to life… and still continue to walk that path toward joy!!

For a much more in-depth look at pursuing joy, and joining in the 

resurrection, dying and rising with Christ, check out our blog dated 

7-14-15 "JOY, HUMOR AND LAUGHTER".