I promise you I know how to be serious. I've done it before. But much wiser, more faithful people have taught me a lot of things we tend to call serious aren't. Personally, the first time that lesson sunk in was when someone asked me, "Will you be this angry about it tomorrow? Next week? Next month? Next year? Will you remember it five years from now?"
Of course, we are allowed to have our emotions. Still, whether you call it mental energy or emotional currency, I don't want to waste it on things that won't matter. How much of yourself do you have to give to real serious issues if you've already exhausted yourself over things you'll soon forget?
So, what do we replace our misguided anger with? We can start with love. John Wesley said, "Those without enough love experience rage, but love drives rage away."
But let me offer an additional replacement. Reflecting on Psalm 126 has me wanting to laugh more. Yes, there are serious issues surrounding the psalmist. Fortunes have been lost and people weep. But there's an assurance in the greatness of God that envelopes us even through those serious circumstances. And when God restores us there is laughter.
So, I want us to laugh more. Let our laughter be a sign of blessing, of peace and of being able to see the beauty of God beyond the pain of this world. Not to dismiss or ignore the reality of what we are facing. Rather, to stand in faith in what we hope God will do.
"A cheerful heart is good medicine," says the proverb (17:22). What I pray for you today is that the joy God has promised us all is a real part of your life. So much so that God's goodness helps you laugh more.
Stay blessed...john | 
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