Recently I’ve been listening to Christian comedians on YouTube while exercising. They help distract me during this most distasteful half-hour of each day.
The best part of exercise: when it’s over.
So far I can recommend the humor of Tim Hawkins, Jim Davis, Kenn Kington, and Ted Cunningham to keep one entertained.
However, be forewarned: it’s impossible to do crunches while laughing.
Here’s a sample of Kenn Kington. Start the video, start crunching, and you’ll see what I mean.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YZ8tAbI5fw
No doubt you’ve heard some of the benefits of laughter that researchers have identified, including:
- Decreased tension
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved immune system
- Increased feel-good endorphins
- Renewed energy [1]
Laughter is good medicine, just as God inspired King Solomon to write eons ago (Proverbs 17:22). It also produces healthy servings of joy into our spirits.
But laughter isn’t the only action that produces health benefits and joy. So do gratitude and praise.
According to the Mayo Clinic, gratitude:
- Decreases depression
- Lessens worry
- Improves sleep
- Enhances immunity
- Reduces chronic pain [2]
The ability to express gratitude and praise is a gift from God, intended to accomplish much good for mind, body, and spirit.
So what might we give thanks and praise to God for today?
A quick perusal of my gratitude journal provides the following possibilities that anyone can embrace:
- Watching children on a playground, running, climbing, sliding, and whooping with glee—and finding my own glee expanded
- Tackling a challenging project and reveling in the moment when it’s finally complete
- Partaking a delicious meal with family and/or friends, enhanced by caring conversation, shared memories, and of course, laughter!
- Marveling at the masterpieces of nature: the wings of a butterfly, the camouflage of a deer, the leap-and-grab abilities of a squirrel
- Delighting in a bargain purchase that God surely provided (James 1:17)
Both of these practices, laughter and gratitude, will take us only so far into health and joy without one all-important element: faith.
When Paul wrote from prison to his dear friends at Philippi, he hoped to be released and visit them soon. His heart’s desire was to contribute further to their spiritual growth and to their joy in the faith (Philippians 1:25), considering its numerous benefits.
Which come first to your mind? See if your thoughts correspond with a few of these blessings:
- God’s unfailing grace, compassion, and love
- His inexplicable peace, comforting presence, and absolute strength
- The wisdom of his Word to guide us through every situation
- God’s promises that offer hope
- His help that sometimes manifests itself in a surprising God-incident
- His encouragement at unexpected moments through unexpected sources
- The undeserved gift of eternal life yet to come
Researchers have verified that faith in God also provides physical benefits, including:
- Reduced stress
- Lowered blood pressure
- Enhanced mental health
- Improved emotional health
- Decreased depression [3]
It stands to reason, the stronger our faith in a God–who provides so much–the greater our contentment.
And when enthusiastic laughter, heartfelt gratitude, and praise-charged faith are part of every day, we’ll find ourselves overflowing with a sense of well-being and joy—an overflow that also impacts others.
[1] https://www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-health/laughter-is-the-best-medicine.htm.
[2] https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/can-expressing-gratitude-improve-health#:~:text=Expressing%20gratitude%20is%20associated%20with,pain%20and%20risk%20of%20disease.
[3]https://www.bethesdagardensloveland.com/blog/the-health-benefits-of-faith#:~:text=The%20health%20benefits%20of%20faith%20have%20been%20a%20hot%20topic,reduced%20dependency%20on%20addictive%20substances and https://relevantmagazine.com/life5/surprising-links-between-faith-and-health/ and https://www.christiantoday.com/article/believing.in.god.is.good.for.your.health/27902.htm.
Photo credits: http://www.rawpixels.net; Nancy Ruegg; http://www.canva.com; http://www.heartlight.org; http://www.pexels.com (Sidney Lima); http://www.canva.com.
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Wonderful post! Thank you for sharing this awesome message of hope! As we sow seeds of gratitude, our faith grows deeper…
Thank you, Linda. I agree with your observation. Gratitude opens our eyes to more of what God has done and is doing, giving us greater hope for what he can do in the future.
Kington’s stand-up act is hilarious! Listening to his humor certainly would make exercising more pleasurable. There’s so much to praise God for and you have reminded us of many. Thank you, Nancy!
So glad you found Kington hilarious too, Nancy. We do indeed have much to praise God for. “He performs wonders that can’t be fathomed, miracles that can’t be counted” (Job 5:9). But we owe it to him to at least try!
I find that when I think to thank God for His many everyday blessings and gifts, that my spirit is encouraged tremendously. You have done an excellent job of expounding on that truth, Nancy. And I thank God for that!
Thank you, Patty. I know YOU know the power of praise!
Gratitude attitudes are invaluable when it comes to our overall well-being, Nancy. There is joy in praising God, giving thanks for all He has done, and resting comfortably in the peace and contentment only He can provide. I will certainly look up those comedians, too. I am already familiar with Tim Hawkins, but the other names are new to me.
Keep indulging in the happiness each day can bring!
Blessings!
You’re so right, Martha: God is incredibly gracious to bless US with the qualities you mention–joy, rest, peace, contentment, and more–when we seek to bless HIM with our gratitude and praise!
That was very uplifting, Nancy. So true as well. Gratitude came today, when our checkout girl was very kind and friendly, even in the midst of long lines and craziness. I had to let her know. Thanks for the reminder. God Bless.
I’m sure your gratitude warmed her heart too, Shelley! Gratitude is so easy to express and does so much good.
Laughter, gratitude, and praise are definite ways to find joy in our world today. Thank you, Nancy!
You’re welcome, Pam. It seems our world needs more joy than ever these days. If it’s contagious, and if we all determine to be carriers, perhaps we can start an epidemic with POSITIVE results!
Thanks for sharing the laughs, Nancy! Since laughter reduces inflammation, I always do my daily physical therapy with funny videos. It’s a great way to start the day. 🙂
Well how about that, Annie! I’ll think of you as I start my routine with the humor of Jim Davis or whoever I find. Do you have a favorite comedian?
My default series is “the Red Green Show,” which my husband discovered some years ago. I get in some good belly laughs with this bunch of men making fun of themselves. 🤣💕
Thank you so much, Annie, for the recommendation. I’ll check them out!
I really enjoyed the video – does make you giggle. And what a delight to read this today. Have a joyous weekend!
So glad you enjoyed Kenn Kington, Jean. My weekend IS off to a joyful start. I bought flowers yesterday for the deck planter. The pansies are finally losing their oomph, given the heat wave!
My exercise routine went through a healthy transformation during the pandemic. I used to run outdoors a lot on my own, but after trying a few group classes I realized those brief moments of companionship were almost as healthy and satisfying as the workout itself. So I am grateful for the opportunity to exercise with others. Joy is present in those classes, and not just when the workout is over 🙂
That’s terrific, Dave! Working out with others CAN help–accountability is automatic. I’ve thought about joining a group at the Y, but don’t want to add travel time to the commitment. (Then there’s the getting ready time, too–throwng on a bit of lipstick and mascara, fluffing up the hair, making sure I have all my gear, etc! 😁) Just running down to the basement works for me!
These three excellent tools are so important in our daily walk with our Savior. As children of God we need to reflect a joyful demeaner to the world. I find that a smile or compliment directed toward a stranger that we encounter makes me feel really good and people react so favorably. We are to be the Light that attracts souls to desire a relationship with Him. A glum attitude not going to win people to the Lord. Regarding gratitude I thank the Lord every day my Mom. And it is such a blessing to us both that my brothers’ grandkids seek us out to spend time with us! Finally, I find that my faith in Him is stronger when I spend less time listening to the news; I don’t bury my head in the sand, but when I do stumble across the challenging things going on in our world I remember that He is in control and that I’m just passing through on my way an eternity of beauty, wonder, and praise.
Love that last sentence, Cheri. You are so right: we can improve our perspective just by keeping in mind that God is in control and our time on earth is brief, when compared to eternity!
Nancy, our family loves Tim Hawkins and Ken Davis. They have us practically rolling on the floor with laughter. 🙂
Laughter, joy, and hope do so much good for the body, soul, and spirit. We were recently at the Kennedy Space Center. When I viewed pictures of breathtaking nebulas, distant stars, and even an intriguing picture of Neptune, tears sprang to my eyes when I realized our God, who loves us more than we can comprehend, created all these with such intricate detail and stunning beauty. Because He loves us. I’m so thankful for that!
Aren’t those moments glorious, when we see evidence of God’s attributes and become overwhelmed with wonder and gratitude? NASA’s photos of outer space will do that–especially when they’re large-scale. The evidence of God’s power and creativity throughout the galaxies is breath-taking!
Laughter, gratitude, and faith…all great for our health! Love the details in all of these through your post.❤️
Tim Hawkins is a favorite of ours, we’ve gone to a few of his shows!
Tim’s energy must really electrify a crowd! I imagine your cheek muscles were tired from all the laughter!
Yes he cracks me up!!
Laughter is the best way to learn something, remember something, and loosen our tight rein of control. This was great! Love your take on this–and your humor.
Thank you, Dayle. I didn’t know that laughter enhances learning or remembering something. Good to know!
It does! It’s why sermons with a little humor often are remembered easier than ones that have no levity at all.
Inspiring post! God’s love remains at the center of one’s faith. As we trust, He nurtures our hopes with unconditional grace.
Amen, Richard–such wonderful truths you’ve highlighted in just two sentences!