5 Bible Verses About Joy and Laughter

Webster defines joy as “a feeling of great happiness,” or “success in doing, finding or getting something.” In a spiritual sense, we seek joy in the people who God created (our family, friends, and perhaps co-workers and kind strangers) as well as the things He created (a beautiful sunset, the perfect rose, a majestic mountain range, or the color of leaves in autumn). Although suffering and sadness are part of the human condition, God wants us to be joyful and to find happiness. Laughter is closely tied to joy because the feeling of joy can promote laughter. It is often said that “Laughter is the best medicine,” and it’s true! Laughter releases stress, improves your mood, boosts immunity and can even relieve pain. The Bible has much to say about joy and laughter. The following five verses can serve as inspiration to seek more joy and laughter in your life.

James 1:2

Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. And let perseverance be perfect, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

This verse can serve as food for thought when encountering suffering and trials. It is often difficult to find joy in challenging situations, but God makes life difficult occasionally so that we will seek Him and grow in faith and virtue. A good analogy is how a shot of medicine can make a person feel better. The shot hurts, but it ultimately heals. In the same way, suffering and grief can eventually produce a type of healing. In difficult times, pray for guidance in finding joy.

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