Proverbs 17:22 | From the Inside Out

Prayer; Worship; Laughter; Camaraderie with other believers. To be fair, all four of those God-given gifts are therapeutic. But pastor/author ... FromtheInsideOut ImpressionsBecomingExpressions Feeds: Posts Comments PostsTagged‘Proverbs17:22’ TheMostBeneficial Therapy PostedinBlessings,God-GivenAbilities,Joy,Uncategorized,taggedHumor,humorisgoodforyou,Laughter,laughterisgoodforyou,Proverbs17:22onMarch21,2019| 16Comments» Howwouldyoucompletethefollowingsentence? ThemostbeautifulandbeneficialtherapyGodevergrantedhumanityis: Prayer Worship Laughter Camaraderiewithotherbelievers Tobefair,allfourofthoseGod-givengiftsaretherapeutic.Butpastor/authorCharlesSwindollconsidersAnswerC,laughter,asnumberone(1).     Perhapshe’sfamiliarwiththeresearchdocumentingthebenefitsofanenthusiasticguffaw.Laughterhasbeenprovento: Reducestress,depression,andbloodpressure IncreasetheproductionofHDL(goodcholesterol) Improveimmunity,mood,andsleep Improvethefunctionoflungs,heart,andcardiovascularsystem Helprelievearteryinflammationandpain Infact,“themedicalworldhasverifiedthatlaughterreleasesendorphins,God’snaturalpainkillers,whicharefiftytoonehundredtimesmorepowerfulthanmorphine”(2).  Wowsers! NowonderGodinspiredKingSolomontowrite:“Acheerfulheartisgoodmedicine”(Proverbs17:22).     I’mthinkingourHeavenlyFatheralsoreceivesbenefitandblessingashetakesdelightinthelaughterofhischildren–justashumanparents(andgrandparents!)do. Inaddition,whenwefacethedaylightheartedlyandfindhumorevenwhenlifeishard,we’reactuallyexpressingourtrustinGod. Thatblesseshimtoo. PhillipYanceyhasidentifiedsimilaritiesbetweenlaughterandprayer–ofallthings.“Inbothacts,westandonequalground,”hesays,“freelyacknowledgingourselvesasfallencreatures.Wetakeourselveslessseriously…Laughterandprayerunite”(3). Ihadn’tthoughtofthatbefore.PrayerdoesuniteourheartsaswepresenttogetherthesamerequeststoGod. Laughterunitesustoo–youngandold,employersandemployees–eventotalstrangers.We“becomeasinglegroupofhumanbeings,enjoying[our]existence”—W.GrantLee. AndifweincludeGod,thejoyismultiplied.     Butmostofuswon’taccumulateenoughlaughterinadaytodomuchgoodunlessweintentionallyseekitout.Sothequestionbecomes:howdowejump-startthehabitoflaughterandmakeitamorning-noon-and-nightevent? Herearefivesuggestionstogetthelaughsrolling: Purchaseajoke-of-the-daycalendaroraccessahumorwebsitelikeReader’sDigest’shttps://www.rd.com/jokes/,andstartthedaywithafewgiggles.Toincreasethebenefitfurther,sharethejokewithsomeoneelse. Here’sashortsample–easytoremember!     WatchafewminutesofhumorousYouTubevideos.Youcan’tgowrongwithTimHawkins,ChondaPierce,orMichaelJr.Icanalmostguaranteethey’llhaveyouinstitches,evenifyouwatchthemallbyyourself.  Butforbestresults,inviteoneortwootherstowatchandchucklealongwithyou. Here’sChondaPiercetalkingaboutpianolessons: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjcfdnqSvT0   Spendtimewithyoungchildren.Theylaugheasilyandsodelectably,youwon’tbeabletoresistlaughingyourself.     Gatherthefamilyorafewfriendstoplayalaugh-inducinggame.Youmightfindsomewinnersathttps://www.thedatingdivas.com/50-fun-crazy-family-games/.Manyoftheirsuggestionscanbeplayedwithjustpaperandpencil.     Startacollectionofjokes,cartoons,andhumorousstatements—whatevermakesyoulaugh.You’llbepreparedwithsomegiggle-makerswhenstressmounts,anxietyflares,ordisappointmentdeflatestheday.   Perhapsyou’llfindoneortwolaugh-promptsheretobeginyourcompilation:   “Normalisjustasettingonthedryer.”—PatsyClairmont   “Exerciseinthemorning—beforeyourbrainfiguresoutwhatyou’redoing.”—Unknown     “Youthisadiseasefromwhichweallrecover”—DorothyFulheim.   “Gardeningischeaperthantherapyandyougettomatoes”—Unknown.   “Grandmasaremomswithlotsoffrosting”—Unknown.     WhenMissAndrewstookherfirstgraderstomusicclass,theteacher,Mrs.Judson,wasn’tthere.Tokeepthechildrenproductivelyoccupieduntilshearrived,MissAndrewsaskedtheclassiftheyknewthepersonwhosenamewaswritteninbiglettersontheboard:JohnPhilipSousa.Onelittleboyraisedhishand.“Idon’tknowwhoheis,”thefirstgraderresponded,“butifhisnameisontheboard,he’sinbigtrouble”(4).   *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *   Thankyou,Father,forgivingustheabilitytolaugh.Ittrulyisagiftofyourgrace,refreshingourspiritsandopeningourheartstoyourjoy.Teachustoexpressourtrustinyouwithlaughter,defyingourworriesandfearswithfrequentchuckles,giggles,andhoots!     Whatmade youlaughrecently? Pleaseshareinthecommentsectionbelow!   Notes:  www.christianquotes.info MarilynMeberg,JoyBreaks PhilipYancey,GraceNotes Truestory!IthappenedattheschoolwhereItaughtformanyyears. Teachers’nameshavebeenchanged.   Art&photocredits: http://www.pexels.com;http://www.deviantart.com;http://www.pxhere.com;http://www.canva.com;http://www.pxhere.com;http://www.flickr.com(2);http://www.wikimedia.com;http://www.afgsc.af.mil.   ReadFullPost» FillYourMouthwith Laughter PostedinBlessings,Faith,Joy,Uncategorized,taggedchildliketrustinGod,humorisgoodforyou,Job8:21,Laughter,laughterisgoodforyou,Nehemiah8:10,Proverbs16:20,Proverbs17:22onApril14,2016| 9Comments» NancyandItaughttogetheratthesameschoolforseventeenyearsuntilsheretired.(Yes,thesamename,teachingthesamegrade.) OnemorningsheandIsimultaneouslyclimbedoutofourvans,side-by-sideintheparkinglot,saidgood-byetoourkids,grabbedourmultipletotesofstuff(teachersweretheoriginalbagladies,youknow),andheadedtoourclassrooms. Aswetraipseduptheslightrisetoourbuilding,wecommiseratedoverthelong-to-dolistrequiringcompletionbeforeSpringBreak.OurhandswereonthedoorknobswhenNancysaid,“‘Youknowwhatweneed?” Andinthesplitsecondbeforesheansweredherownquestion,Ithought,Hallelujah!Nancy,withallherwisdom,commonsense,andproblem-solvingskillshasanideatolightenourloads!  “Whatweneed,”sheconcluded,“isourlipstick!”     Iburstoutinaveryunladylikeguffaw.Yousee,neitheroneofushadyetcompletedthatstepofourmorningroutine.Andthoughlifedoesgobetterlipstick(asmostwomenwouldagree),itdoesfallshortoferasingto-do-listchores. Nonetheless,asIenteredmyclassroomthatmorning,thetensioninmyspiritandshoulderswaserased. Ifeltrenewed,powereduptofacethechallengesoftheday.Nancy’shumorouscommenthadindeedlightenedmyload—atleastattitudinally. Thatoldsongweusedtosingyearsagoatchurchwasright: Verse1:“ThejoyoftheLordisourstrength”(Nehemiah8:10c,repeatedfourtimes). Verse2:“Ifyouwantjoyyoumustlaughforit”(4times). Verse3:“Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha”(4times). Whocouldfinishasonglikethatwithoutagenuinecaseofthegiggles? Laughterworkswonderstostiruphappiness,contentment,andevenimprovedhealth. RememberKingSolomon’sobservation?     (“Acheerfulheartisgoodmedicine.” –Proverbs17:22)   Andthemedicineisallthemorepowerfulwhenenjoyedinpleasantcompany. Laughtersharedismultiplied. Withimprovedhealthmayverywellcomelongerlife.     (“Hewholaughs,lasts.” –MaryPettibonePoole)   Andevenifthat’snotquitetrue,thisbitofwisdomcertainlyis:     (“Laughtermaynotaddyearstoyourlife, butitwilladdlifetoyouryears.” –Anonymous)   Besideslaughter,anotheringredientforthatcheerful-heartmedicineis:trust.     (“TheonewhotrustsintheLordwillbehappy.” –Proverbs16:20b,HCSB)   Whenourtrustisstrong,wecanbelight-heartedandcontent.Afterall,Godis: Completelytrustworthy,neverforsakingthosewhoseekhim(Psalm9:10). Gracious,surroundinguswithhisfavor(Psalm5:12). Wise,makingknowntousthepathoflife(Psalm16:11). Attentive,sustainingushereonearth(Psalm18:35),and Loving,preparingoureternalhomeinheaven(John14:2).   ChildliketrustinGodallowsustorelaxandenjoychildlikefun–evenexuberanthilarity,bellylaughsandirrepressiblegiggles.     (“Hewillyetfillyourmouthwithlaughter andyourlipswithshoutsofjoy.” –Job8:21)   Solookforlaughter.It’severywhere!   Justthismorning,ourdaughter-in-law(amedicalresident),sharedthisstorywithme: Shewasheadedoutthedoortoseeamassagetherapistforherachingneck. “Whereareyougoing?”askedherdaughter,Elena. Mommyexplained. “Youneedtoseeadoctor,”remarkedElena.Afterapause,sheadded,“Waitaminute… …I’Madoctor!”(Hertoyphysician’skithasthree-yearoldElenaconvincedshe’sasqualifiedasMommytoadviseandtreatpatients.)   *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *   Wherehaslaughterandgoodcheerprovidedtherapeuticmedicineforyouthisweek?Pleaseshareinthecommentsbelow.Laughtersharedismultiplied!   (Art&photocredits: www.ice-inc.net;http://www.quotationof.com;http://www.pinterest.com;http://www.quotio.com;http://www.thedailyquotes.com;http://www.pinterest.com;http://www.newlife.com.)   ReadFullPost» YouCan’tTellMeGodDoesn’tHaveaSenseof Humor PostedinBlessings,God'sGoodness,Joy,taggedEcclesiastes3:13,God'sSenseofHumor,Humor,James1:17,Proverbs17:22,Psalm16:11onAugust13,2015| 19Comments»   OnesteamyJulyafternoon,Steve,Jeremy(ouryoungerson),andIheadedtoaweddingatournewchurch.We’donlylivedinthecommunityaboutamonth;itwasthefirstnuptialsmypastor-husbandwouldperformthere. Jeremywasincollegeatthetimeandclosetotheageofthebrideandgroom. He’dalreadybecomeacquaintedwiththemsinceourarrival. Theservicewassimpleandrelaxed,thegatheringintimate.Afterward,areceptionwasheldinthelargefoyerofthechurch,providingusanopportunitytovisitwithmembersofthecongregation. Oneyoungladychattedwiththethreeofusforquitesometime.Shelaughedeasily,andlistenedwell.Herstrawberryblondhair,blueeyes,andwarmsmileaddedtohercharm. Onthewayhome,IwasthinkingaboutourpleasantconversationandsaidtoJeremy,“Ithinkthatcutegirllikesyou.Otherwise,whywouldshehavetalkedtousforsolong?” “Oh,Mom. Thatwouldbesoweird,”hecountered. “Icouldneverdateagirlwiththesamenameasmymother!” Yes,hernamewasNancy.Andtomakemattersworse(asfarasJeremywasconcerned)itwasNancyAnn,thesameasmine.Ihadtoagree;itwasastrangecoincidence. “Besides,”Jeremycontinued,“Ihappentoknowshe’sdatingsomeoneelseand,ofcourse,IamgoingoutwithJennifer.” Butguesswhobrokeup?Andsixorsevenmonthslater,JeremydidaskNancyout.Eighteenmonthsafterthat,theyweremarried.     NowwehavetwoNancyAnnRueggsinthefamily. Andit’sbeengreatfun. First,wejokedthroughtheprocessofcreatingdifferentnicknamesortitlesorsomethingsowebothwouldn’tswivelourheadsorcomerunningwhenournamewascalledatfamilygatherings.WerejectedJunior/Senior,theYounger/theOlder,andderivativessuchasNanny.Wedidn’tcareforNancyOneandNancyTwoeither. Butthebridefromthewedding,wherewemetourdaughter-in-law,cameupwithacleveridea.Nancycouldadd“2.0”(Two-Point-Oh)tohername,inhonorofthegraphicsdesigndegreeshehadjustearned.Theaddedhumorof“Point-Oh”made thenicknameacceptable.Wedidn’tuseitoften,butithelpedinapinch. Theproblemresolveditselfwhenourfirstgranddaughterwasborn,andIbecameNana.NowthatderivativeIlike! TheyearafterJeremyandNancyweremarried,ourdaughter,Heather,andherhusband,Tim,weremarried.Steve,Jeremy,NancyandIflewouttoWashingtonStatetogetherforthewedding.Thedoubletakeonthefaceofthebaggagehandlerwasquiteentertainingasheprocessedoneticket,andthenanotherwiththesamename.Hegotachuckleoutofouruniquesituation. AndthenthereweretheyearswhilewewerestillmembersofthesamechurchthatNancyandIwouldreceivecardsoneachother’sbirthdays.Noharmdone;we’dpassthemalongtoeachotherwithahugandagiggle. NowItellthatstorybecause:numberone,Ilovetotellit.ThefactJeremywassoadamanthecouldneverdateNancy,andnowshe’shiswife,ticklesmeeverytimeIthinkaboutit. Numbertwo:It’sproofthatGoddoesindeedhaveasenseofhumor.He’snotsomestern,sullenBeingwhosesupremepleasureispunishingpeopleormakinglifedifficult. No. He’sthegiverofeverygoodandperfectgift(James1:17)—giftslikeasweetdaughter-in-law*,auniquelyfunsituation,andahumorousstorytotell. Truthis:Goddesignedustotakedelightinhim,toenjoyhisgifts,andevenfindamusementinthosegifts(Ecclesiastes3:13).     +    +    +    +    +    +    +    +    +    +   Thankyou,God,forcreatinghumor,andgivingustheabilitytoappreciatetheludicrous,theamusing,theplayonwords.Thankyou,too,forthegiftoflaughter.Ilovehowachuckle-inducingstorymakesusfeelgoodandbringstellerandlistenertogetherwithbondsofunderstanding.Finallyandmostimportant,thankyouforcomingalongsideandaugmentingthejoyofhumor,because“inyourpresencethereisfullnessofjoy.” (Proverbs17:22,Psalm16:11)   *Actuallywehavetwosweetdaughters-in-law,andadelightfulson-in-lawaswell.   (Photocredits: www.weddingsontheamalficoast.com;NancyRuegg,biblepic.com.)   ReadFullPost» Laughter PostedinJoy,Praise,Uncategorized,taggedBrotherLawrence,Humor,Joy,KarlBarth,Laughter,Proverbs17:22,Psalm126:1-3,Psalm16:11,Psalm9:1-2,ThePracticeofthePresenceofGodonAugust19,2013| 16Comments» Yearsago,Itaughtoneyearofkindergartenbefore“graduating”tofourthgrade. Oneaspectofthatyearprovedespeciallydelightful:thehumorousthingsthosefiveyear-oldswouldsay. Istartedwritingthemdown,toenjoyagaininthefuture. Thefutureisnow! Forexample: AliceandLisaspentmostofrecessonedaydiggingaholeinthesandbox. “Wediggedsodeep,”Alicesaid,“wecouldhearthepeopleinChinawalkingaround.” Aftergivinginstructionsforanartactivity,Iaskedifanyonehadaquestion. Leeraisedhishandtoinquire,“What’sthecapitalofNorthDakota?” Meganwasrecuperatingfromstrepthroat. Sheinformedme,“Icouldhavegottendramaticfever.” Laurenaskedmeoneday,“Mrs.Ruegg,what’syourlastname?” Suchmomentswerepurefun-shine,lightingupmyspirit. Didyouknowscientificstudyisdiscoveringthatlaughterprovidesanumberofhealthbenefits?(Justasresearchhasproventhebenefitsofhappiness,asweconsideredinthelastpost.) Yousee,laughterenhancesyourintakeofoxygenasyoubreathemoredeeply. That,inturn,positivelyimpactsyourheart,lungs,andmuscles. Laughterreleasesendorphinsinthebrain. Endorphinsareoneofthebrainchemicalsknownasneurotransmittersthatsendelectricalsignalsthroughthenervoussystem. Whenstressorpainoccurs,endorphinsarereleased. Theyhelpreducetheimpactofsuchfactorsonthebrain. Endorphinsleadtoafeelingofeuphoria,andlaughterisabigcontributor. Laughteralso… …reducesstressandgeneratesarelaxedfeeling. …helpsdispeldepressionandanxiety,thusimprovingourmoods. …fostersconnectionwithotherpeople. Onceagain,secularresearchisprovingwhatscripturehassaidallalong:  “Acheerfulheartisgoodmedicine”(Proverbs17:22). Butthereisnoneedtoinvestinjokebooks,watchhumorousYou-Tubevideos,orteachkindergarten! You’llreceiveahealthydoseofcheerintheseways,too: Possibility#1: Spendtimewithpositivepeople. Researchindicatesupto80%ofourlaughterisnotgeneratedbyfunnymoviesorcomediansonSiriusradio.Mostlaughteroccursduringeverydaycommentsineverydaysocialsituations. Anotherfactprovenbyresearch: mostpositivepeoplehaveasenseofhumor. ItwouldstandtoreasonthatChristiansshouldbethemostpositivepeoplearound. Spendtimewithpositive,Christianpeopleandyou’llnodoubtfindyourselflaughingfrequently. Possibility#2: Celebratethesmalljoysaswellasthemonumental.   Psalm126:1-3relatestheexperienceofexilesreturningfromcaptivityinBabylontoIsrael. Theylaughedandsangforjoy,feelingasiftheywerelivingadream. “TheLordhasdonegreatthingsforus,”theycried,“andwearefilledwithjoy”(v.3)! Sometimeswe,too,laughandshoutspontaneouslyattheannouncementofgoodnews—acceptancetothatuniversityofchoice,ajobpromotion,anewbabyontheway. ButtheLorddoesgreatthingsforusfrequently. ThemoreIcelebratehisgoodness,themorejoyandlaughterI’llexperience. Justtheotherday,Iwaswashingdishes(Suchaboring,unpleasantchore!)whenalarge,blackandyellowbutterflyflutteredbythewindow. Tobehonest,Ididn’tlaughorsingoutloud,butmyheartwasoverjoyedjustthesame. Thatbutterflyfeltlikealittlelove-giftfromGod,makingthatmomentatthesinklessburdensome. Throughouteachday,wewoulddowelltofollowDavid’sexample: “I’mthankingyou,God,fromafullheart. I’mwritingthebookonyourwonders. I’mwhistling,laughing,andjumpingforjoy;I’msingingyoursong,HighGod”(Psalm9:1-2,TheMessage).   Possibility#3: RevelinGod’spresence. Psalm16:11remindsusthatGodfillsuswithjoyinhispresence. Justconversingwithhimthroughoutthedaycanbeincrediblyuplifting. BrotherLawrence,inThePracticeofthePresenceofGod(WhitakerHouse,1989),suggeststhatwetendtostiflejoybyspendingonlybriefmomentsinworship. “IfGodcanfindasoulfilledwithalivelyfaith,hepourshisgraceintoitinatorrentthat,havingfoundanopenchannel,gushesoutexuberantly.” ThatexuberantgushingoutofGod’sgrace,thatbubblingoverflowofallhisgloriousrichesintoourlives—mightittaketheformofrejoicinglaughtersometimes? Ithinkso. KarlBarth,thatgreattheologianofthetwentiethcentury,mightagreewithme. Hesaid:  “LaughteristheclosestthingtothegraceofGod.” (photocredits: www.marciaballestero.com ;www.sciencemadefun.net ;www.positivemindconsulting.com ; www.sallyandsam.blogspot.com; www.powerfulintnetions.org;www.izquotes.com)    ReadFullPost» NancyRuegg "FixyourattentiononGod.You'llbechangedfromtheinsideout" (Romans12:2, TheMessage). Searchfor: FollowBlogviaEmail Enteryouremailaddresstofollowthisblogandreceivenotificationsofnewpostsbyemail. 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