What Does the Bible Say About Laughter Is The Best Medicine?

Do you know it’s stated that laughter is the best medicine? As Christians, it’s important to show the world our joy, not gloom and doom, right? Good laughter can change your perspective even when you’re feeling down. So, what does the Bible say about laughter being the best medicine?

As born-again followers of Jesus Christ, you want others to notice the joy of being a daughter or son of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, right? Now, having said this, have other people asked you…

1. What makes you different?
2. Where does your source of joy come from?
3. How can you find anything to laugh about in today’s world?

With everything happening around you today, finding things that bring you joy and laughter can be difficult. However, you must dig deep, pull yourself out of the pit of darkness and despair, and show the hurting world around you where your joy and laughter come from…God

I enjoy writing posts on what the Bible says about a specific topic. Why? Hey, you can’t go wrong with God’s word, now can you? Can I get an Amen? Read these top 35 Bible verses about laughter.

PIN ON YOUR FAVORITE BOARD

What does the bible say about laughter?

I don’t know about you, but I can find things to laugh about when others look at me like I’ve lost my mind. Can you relate? I want you to grasp the knowledge that laughter is a God-given gift that God gives to all His children.

Not only this, but do you know that laughter helps you cope with numerous challenges in your life? The Bible also gives crystal clear examples of when to laugh and when not to laugh.

Laughter Is The Best Medicine

The answer is a resounding YES! I went digging to see if I could find a specific amount and discovered it was somewhere between 25 to 40 times, depending on which version of the Bible you use. Don’t you wish all the versions said the same thing? Maybe it’s just me and a Kentucky thang.

What does laughter mean?

What is the definition of laughter?

1. The act or sound of laughing:
2. The acts or sounds of…Studies have shown that laughter does make you feel better.

Laughter is defined as the sound of mirth or joy. Laughter is the sound you make when you hear something that makes you giggle.

What is the importance of laughter?

Have you ever heard the phrase that laughter is the best medicine? According to helpguide.org…A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes afterward.

Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your disease resistance.

As you may know, I work as an Oncology Phlebotomist at a local cancer center. I tell my cancer patients that laughter boosts the immune system.

I’ve got several autoimmune disorders myself, so now this gives me an excuse to belly laugh more, right? My husband Mike may not agree, however. Lol!

Who first said laughter is the best medicine?

In the 1300s, Henri de Mondeville, a surgeon professor, propagated post-operative therapy with humor. Norman Cousins, a journalist and professor, also initiated this trend when he developed his own “treatment” based on mood elevation through laughter.

Laughter In The Bible Verse

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Proverbs 17:22.

According to Proverbs 17:22, laughter is indeed the best medicine. I found the perfect quote to support this.

Laughter is the best medicine and it has no harmful side effects.

Unknown

An even better reason to laugh, right?

Are joy and laughter the same?

Research states joy is a different emotion, which only enhances laughter because of your heightened state of positive emotion.

Learn To Recognize Your Emotions

I can say with 100% accuracy that since rededicating my life to Jesus Christ in 2013, I have had joy and laughter that simply can’t be explained at times.

At my church, we laugh a lot!! That’s a good thing. However, I’ve heard stories where laughing during church services is frowned upon. What? Say it isn’t so, right?

Just because you are a Christian does not mean you can no longer laugh and must be serious all the time. The Christian life is a fun, fulfilled life! Not boring! Let this song bring both laughter and joy!

Come on. Why do so many people don’t want to go to church? A relationship with God is not about rules and regulations but a relationship with our creator.

I’m from Kentucky and get picked on by my accent and laugh. I don’t hear it, but others say I’m crazy. Anyway, laughter, in my opinion, is the best medicine. Laugh away, y’all!

Sadly, I was reading a fellow faith blogger and friend’s post on the topic I’m writing about, and I’d love for you to check out her post as well. She was spiritually attacked due to laughter. Unbelievable!

Aryn is one of the sweetest people I’m blessed to know, and I don’t understand why anyone would pick on her. Her blog is Aryn @ Aryn the Libraryan. You can find the post I’m referencing on the Bloggers for the Kingdom website.

Did Jesus Laugh?

I could not find a verse clearly stating that Jesus laughed. However, that being said, Jesus was completely human and completely divine. In my spirit, I know without a shadow of a doubt that Jesus experienced ALL the emotions that you and I do today.

To deny the fact that Jesus never once laughed is to deny a huge aspect of His humanity. How could Christ ever experience the depth of human sorrow or pain if He never experienced joy or laughter? 

What about the story about Jesus turning water into wine? In Biblical times, unlike today, people feasted and celebrated for days at weddings.

Let’s also not forget that children flocked to Jesus. The kids loved being around Jesus so that alone tells me he had a sense of humor.

Researching what the Bible says about laughter allows me to share with you the following verses on laughter in the Bible!

Bible Verses About Laughter?

“Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you shall be satisfied. “Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Luke 6:21

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” The Lord has done great things for us; we are glad. Psalm 126:2-3

He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. Job 8:21

I said of laughter, “It is mad,” and of pleasure, “What use is it?” Ecclesiastes 2:2

A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Ecclesiastes 3:2-4

Bread is made for laughter, wine gladdens life, and money answers everything. Ecclesiastes 10:19

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Proverbs 31:25-26

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart, the spirit is crushed. Proverbs 15:13

All the days of the afflicted are evil, but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast. Proverbs 15:15

Even in laughter, the heart may ache, and the end of joy may be grief. Proverbs 14:13

When is it not a good time to laugh?

Heed the following warning about mocking others.

And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Matthew 9:23-24

I am a laughingstock to my friends; I, who called to God and he answered me, a just and blameless man, am a laughingstock. Job 12:4

At kings, they scoff, and at rulers, they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it. Habakkuk 1:10

For as the crackling of thorns under a pot, so is the laughter of the fools; this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 7:6

The wicked plots against the righteous and gnashes his teeth at him, but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. Psalm 37:12-13

Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. Psalm 2:3-4

Because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproofs. Proverbs 1:25

I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock you when terror strikes you. Proverbs 1:26

When terror strikes you like a storm, your calamity comes like a whirlwind. When distress and anguish come upon you. Proverbs 1:27

Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me. Proverbs 1:28

There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips—for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. Psalm 59:7-8

Best examples of Sarah in the Bible

So Sarah laughed to herself, saying, “After I am worn out, and my lord is old, shall I have pleasure?” The Lord asked Abraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and say, ‘Shall I bear a child, now that I am old?’ Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time, I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” But Sarah denied it, saying, “I did not laugh,” for she was afraid. He said, “No, but you did laugh.” Genesis 18:12-15

And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” Genesis 21:6-7

As you can tell, the Bible has much to say about laughter—mostly good, but some not so good. As Christians, may we be set apart from the world so that everyone notices our “laughter” and, most importantly, where our joy comes from.

This will open a door for sharing the gospel and for others to find true joy in Jesus Christ.

Read Other What Does The Bible Say About Topics

• What Does the Bible Say About Peace?
• What Does the Bible Say About Unity?
• What Does the Bible Say About Tithing?
• What Does the Bible Say About Hope
• What Does the Bible Say Hope for the Future?
• What Does the Bible Say About Fear?

Your Turn

Do you have any stories about laughter, whether bad or good? I have one last request. Please pray for me concerning next week’s topic if you would be so kind. I’m not comfortable with it, but God has made it clear it needs to be written. Stay tuned.

Hey Friend, Thanks For Reading!

Like this post? Use the icons below to share it!