ONE OF GOD’S GIFTS
Like other gifts of God such as love, wealth, power, desire, and respect, there is power in laughter that can be used for both personal and communal good. The appropriate use of humor can be a saving factor in both personal health and the nurture of peace on earth. The intention here is to demonstrate how clergy can use humor not only in their ministry but in the maintenance of their own health and sanity in an increasingly stressful and chaotic society.
THE MISUSE OF GOD’S GIFT
Not all humor is healthy humor. Humor, like many of the gifts of God, can be used in a positive or negative manner. There are few experiences that can be more damaging to a person’s sense of worth than to be the subject of ridicule. A person’s authority can be easily undermined if they object of laughter. You can defend yourself against many types of challenges, but it is hard to contend with the challenge of being laughed at. Laughter can be a wicked and damaging weapon.
PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL HEALTH
There is plenty of evidence supporting the role that humor can play in the nurture and maintenance of an individual’s health. Most of us have experienced both the physical and emotional relief brought on by a good belly laugh. If you have ever been a part of a crowd of people enjoying a good comedian or a family who shares a funny family story, you know that shared laughter has a bonding effect. It relaxes the protective barriers and opens us to our shared humanity. Almost from the beginning of civilization, a smile has had a disarming effect.
Both Thomas Merton and Basil Pennington have suggested that humor can also contribute to our spiritual health. Consider the possibility that laughter can be an act of praise. For example, Israel, whose nation had been destroyed and their people were carried off in exile, had no reason to have any hope. Then, totally unexpectedly, Cyrus, a pagan emperor, the unlikeliest of saviors, enabled the people to return from exile. The psalmist expresses it this way. “When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy . . .” (Psalm 126:1-2) Laughter became their response of praise.
Have you ever been in a situation where defeat and humiliation seemed to be the only possibility? Then, something happened that you could never have anticipated and you were saved. In wonder and awe, you can only respond with laughter and delight. If you are a spiritual person, knowing that your unexpected salvation was not due to human wisdom and skills, the only praise you can offer is laughter.
FAITHFUL PEOPLE DO EXPERIENCE STRESS
Most major studies show that the health of clergy, physically, emotionally, and spiritually, is threatened by the challenging nature of ministry. It is my contention that humor can play a significant role in maintaining their health?
Laughter is a positive factor in our physical, emotional and spiritual health. It can also disrupt contentious social interactions and reduce the stress of conflict. Imagine a power that can heal you of your ailments and bring peace on earth at the same time. It doesn’t even have to pass FDA criteria before it is used. In fact, it is available for free. Sounds like Isaiah’s image of the abundant life of salvation, doesn’t it? “Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.” (Isaiah 55:1)
You don’t have to become a skilled comedian to take advantage of laughter. As Laughing Laura (aka The Rev. Laura Gentry) has explained in her introduction to Laughter Yoga, even the physical act of laughter can have it’s physical and emotional benefits. As Norman Cousins explained in his Anatomy of an Illness, one can gain both physical and emotional benefit from watching funny movies and videos of good standup comedians. I have personally benefited from listening to recordings from such people as Bill Cosby, Dick Gregory, and Bob Newhart.
THE FUTURE IS NOW
I will continue to explore this in future blogs. Eventually I will put it into a book, God Laughs–Why don’t You. This gives you three choices. You can subscribe to this blog and watch as my thoughts develop. You can buy the book due out this fall on Amazon. Or you can wait for the movie — but that might be a long wait.
Feedback is very helpful as I am working on these ideas.
