The Bible tells us in Palms 15:13 and 17:22 that, “A merry heart maketh a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken. . . . A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Yet what some people see as funny, others don’t.
I remember watching a movie quite some time back and I laughed all the way through it. To me the situations and circumstances were just so ridiculous that they were hilarious. I told a friend about it and she obtained a copy as she needed a good laugh. When we next spoke she was very disappointed and said how sad the movie was and she cried all the way through it!
Then just the other day I watched a movie about a guy who had to travel to his own wedding. It basically started with a plane crash where the aircraft ploughed into a sign saying, “Welcome to the city of ?” From that point on I was laughing so hard that my stomach hurt by the end of it. There was really nothing funny, no jokes or pranks, just a series of absolutely absurd events that were so outlandish that I found them funny. Or maybe it is just that I have a warped sense of humour?
Some time back I had to go for a medical appointment. I took a friend with me as I knew from experience that I would have an allergic reaction to things in that office. The specialist was explaining that at all cost I should avoid sleeping on my back, and that sleeping on my side would help me immensely. My very kind friend (whom I am still friends with) piped up and said, “Sounds like you need to get a partner into bed!” I wasn’t sure where to look, but eventually looked at the specialist who was red as a beetroot. Next, my friend spluttered, “I didn’t mean it like that!!” and we all burst out laughing!
Thinking about that situation there is really nothing funny about it. We were all embarrassed, but somehow laughing at the situation that we found ourselves in dispelled all the tension. Maybe this is the key to it – situations that are absolutely ridiculous are what makes them funny. But do we have to be laughing to be happy or content?
In writing to the Philippians in chapter 4:11, 12 Paul says, “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” From this we can conclude that happiness or contentment is not about what is happening in your life or to you, but your own state of mind.
I remember reading a story years ago about on elderly woman who received an old age pension. There was a push by many to raise the amount of money paid to the elderly and a reporter asked this lady what she would do with the extra money if she was given it. She replied that she would give it to someone who really needs it!
Today lots of people work too hard, want (not need) too many things, when they acquire something they then desire more, bigger, better, and more expensive things. There is no patience to save up to buy something or start off small with cheap thing and gradually improve as money allows. Nearly everyone want everything they want right now. This type of lifestyle breeds discontent, unhappiness and lots of stress.
It would probably serve us well to stop and think – do I really need this or is it just a want? Maybe put off buying something new for a couple of weeks to see if we really do need it. Then, maybe learn to be happy or content with what we already have instead of desiring more, thereby making our heart happy!
Until next time – remember, safety first!