Humor versus Joy

Now I’m not one to throw stones (usually) at those who are humorous, because I’ve been known to engage in the use of humor to ease pain, tension or just to kill time or step on my enemy’s toes. But humor actually goes way beyond the simple act of someone slipping on a banana peel and then we all laugh. You know, it’s more than slapstick and sarcasm.

Originally the term humor was derived from an ancient understanding of four body fluids; blood, phlegm, choler, and black bile. While most of us don’t think of those fluids in terms of humor or something funny, more often than not, when we are out of balance physically, emotionally and even spiritually, our humor can be affected.

Somewhere back about 1966 Doctor Tim LaHaye published a book called the Spirit Controlled Temperament. I never really understood it then, and don’t fully get it now, but I do believe our humors are greatly overlook as to their influence on how one might feel in any give moment of the day or in any given circumstance.

Seeking health and balance in all areas of life will tend to produce optimum feelings of well being. It’s when imbalance of our humors occurs that life starts to feel bad. Very often those bad feelings emerge from a lie that cries out for attention and priority. If and when we give into that lie, we find ourselves at the mercy of our humors. And be rest assured, they will be out of balance somehow and bad feelings will come forth and affect others.

One of my goals in daily life is to maintain a healthy balance in all things humorous (the four mentioned above), but when I don’t and bad feelings show up, I know I can rest assured in God’s grace. At that point His joy becomes a covering and strength for my imbalanced state of being.

Pure and true joy comes only from God. Humor and our ability to recognize its place in a well balanced life, is innate. So seek the joy of the Lord, for in it you will find strength, but revel in the opportunity to live with healthy humor toward all as you seek a balanced life.

Proverbs 17:22 “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (KJV)

When our humors get out of balance; bones dry out, spirits are broken and life just stinks. But if you make the decision to rejoice in all things, something miraculous happens.

Start by giving thanks for all the good in your life and give thanks even in the midst of the bad. Celebrate the goodness of others and give grace for their bad. Cheer on someone who is struggling in their race and refresh them with a laurel of affection when they win or loose. Eat right and get plenty of exercise and splurge every once in a while, plus take frequent naps. And soon you will be experiencing life as it was meant to be; full of pure joy and pure balanced humor.

I think it was Readers Digest that had the regular column in their magazine; Laughter, the Best Medicine. Try some today. I mean some good old belly laughter; emanating from the place of life.

John 7:38 “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (KJV)