Have you ever found laughter helpful when you feel overwhelmed, stressed?

Laughter and tears are both responses to frustration and exhaustion. I myself prefer to laugh, since there is less cleaning up to do afterward.
― Kurt Vonnegut

Laughter Renews Hope

Don and I are executors for the Trust of a recently deceased friend. The job is overwhelming at times, but is also a privilege. I’m grateful for laughter that has released stress and helped me regain focus.

One day I called CVS Caremark to ask if we could return unopened medications our friend received after he was in hospice. The conversation went something like this.

“Your name and member number?”

“I’m Carol Loewen, but I’m not calling about me.  I’m calling on behalf of a friend who was recently deceased.”

“Ok, what is his name? Member number?”

I gave them to her.

“And does he know you’re calling me?”

I burst into a chuckle. “I don’t think so…”

Laughter Binds us Together

Another day, Don and I went in to have his hearing aids adjusted.

My man has fixed things himself all his life. Me, I’ll just buy a replacement if I can afford it. But not him.

So, when one hearing aid had a tail that was uncomfortable, he cut it off.

When another didn’t fit his ear correctly, he filed it down – ‘til it didn’t work!

Laugh With, not at, Our Loved Ones

So the conversation with the Audiologist went like this.

Dr. Wallace:  “This tail is how you’re supposed to take the piece out of your ear but it’s missing. Looks like someone cut it.”

“I did.”

“And this one … it’s filed way down…”

“I did that because it hurt.”

By this time I was chuckling as the doctor very graciously read Don the riot act about not being a DIY-er on products that people have trained years to handle. “We can fix all these things – we have the tools and the training. You just have to let me know.” Her eyes twinkled as she spoke.

We walked out of her office, still laughing about my darling hubby being scolded by this pert, intelligent young doctor. Our mutual laughter, not at but with each other, was jolly good fun. https://eastpointebaptistchurch.com/blog/2020/09/24/laughter-is-good-medicine

I wrote about laughter in an earlier post, at https://www.carolloewen.com/laughter-is-the-best-medicine/

Laughter Releases Tension

But back in the car, I felt overwhelmed, stressed, with all the work my Trustee role entails. My mind spun, my heartbeat increased.

“Lord, please calm my heart. I’m feeling overwhelmed again.”

At that second, our radio blasted out a rock tune at very high volume. Both Don and I jumped, then began to laugh aloud. Somehow, our laughter calmed our hearts and released some of the tension I felt.

A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17:22, ESV

How does Laughter Give you Hope?

The Bible says quite a lot about laughter and joy. Proverbs 31 talks of the woman who trusts the Lord.

She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. Proverbs 31:25

I love the picture of this woman; strong, confident, without fear. As she reverences God, she is a glorious role model for me, for women, today.

When is the last time you had a good, healthy laugh, alone or with someone else? I’d love to hear about it.

Poll: Would you rather watch a clean movie that makes you laugh, or a sentimental, romantic one? Why?