During the pandemic several years back, we had a “socially distanced” gathering in our backyard. It began, as a time when our Thursday night online prayer group could come together to celebrate birthdays. But by the time we met, several other couples had been invited. We had a wonderful time and were truly blessed to visit with such dear friends. Thinking about that gathering reminded me of today’s passage from Proverbs, so let’s listen to it:

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

This passage reminds us that even though “A cheerful heart is good medicine, a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Some of my friends that met in my backyard that day were experiencing very difficult times. The pandemic was having its effect. Some were school teachers, librarians, and nurses. Others had parents whose health was failing or who were experiencing dementia. These are heavy loads that can sap our emotional and physical strength. However, when we gathered that evening, we were reminded of the healing power of laughter. Pam and I have been married fifty years. Anyone who knows us knows that we love to laugh—a lot! Today's passage reminds us that laughter has healing power, power to make it though circumstances that aren’t very fun or funny at all. Today, if you are going through a difficult time, I want to encourage you to connect with friends—old friends or new ones—to receive that gift of healing that God’s Word promises us. He wants to heal your breaking spirit through the power of laughter. According to Proverbs, that’s good medicine…and that is very Good News!