Laughter Is Bad For You

[Guest guest]

Laughter is Bad For You

The verbal picture was hilarious and brought knee-slapping laughter from everyone around the barbecue circle. Even Mark was laughing, although the joke was totally on him.

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

One of his friends had chosen this occasion to describe one of Mark's most embarrassing moments, a bumbling memory of foolishness that deserved to be packed in the closet rather than aired around the neighborhood. But it was funny!

Mark laughed along with the others, a smiley face carefully masking his pain. What else was there to do?

Later, in the quiet of his room, Mark wept the tears of a crushed spirit, deep sobs that accompanied cries of, "I'm no good! Everyone makes fun of me!"

A cheerful spirit is good medicine - better than Tylenol or Advil, and almost in competition with Novocaine. However, there is a deep difference between a Cheerful Spirit and Bad Laughter - where laughs come at the expense of others.

A cheerful spirit builds up the self-esteem of others. Bad laughter makes fun and takes advantage of the faults and failures of others.

A cheerful spirit brings joy and peace wherever it goes. Bad laughter makes people turn away in fear of being put down. Again.

A cheerful spirit comes with a smile, or at least a pleasant face. Bad laughter comes with a smirk and an exultant smile of victory.

A cheerful spirit is the energy behind great friendships. Bad laughter is the death of meaningful relationships.

A cheerful spirit looks out for others. Bad laughter looks out for itself - and feels best when laughing at others.

A cheerful spirit heals the cracks in a heart. Bad laughter enlarges the cracks and fills them with scorn.

A cheerful spirit is a prelude to heaven.

A cheerful spirit is God's gift to healers.

Dick Duerksen