Everything I know about humor, I learned as a child growing up in a small parsonage with seven siblings. Life wasn't easy, but it was usually fun, probably because both of our parents had delightful senses of humor. Their use of humor often diffused anger and eased tensions, whether caused by interaction with my brothers and sisters, or perhaps when I was on the receiving end of some form of discipline.

Mother used humor as a coping device. Of course, it never occurred to us, her beloved offspring, that her life might be difficult with eight children and a pastor husband. She frequently stated that, as a pastor's wife, she had all the problems the pastor had, plus him! She also proposed that we use humor by trying to see some fun in things we considered boring. Once I protested singing in the Sunday morning choir because I became drowsy during the sermon and was afraid I would fall asleep.

Ever since the reign of King Solomon, folks have known about the healing effects of humor.

She suggested I look at different people in the congregation, mentally replacing their faces with animal faces. This was kind of fun and did help me stay awake. Mother probably wouldn't remember or even admit to giving that advice, and she never suggested that some of the audience might be imagining my face as an animal.

Ever since the reign of King Solomon, folks have known about the healing effects of humor. He wrote, "A cheerful heart is good medicine" (Proverbs 17:22). Researchers have proven that humor, especially laughter, helps both body and mind feel better. Laughing releases endorphins, or brain chemicals, which give you a feeling of well-being.

In her book, Pathfinders, Gail Sheehy discovered that folks who overcome life's crises use humor to help them through rough passages. Humor reduces stress and helps ease the pain. Former U. S. president, John F. Kennedy, said, "There are three things which are real: God, human folly, and laughter. The first two are beyond our comprehension. So we must do what we can with the third."

Joel Goodman, founder of The Humor Project, Inc., suggests we "take humor seriously." Research has proven the health benefits of laughter. The muscles grow stronger from tightening and relaxing, and certain cells in our immune system are activated through laughter. These cells help kill germs, and new cells are produced faster. When you laugh, your temperature gets warmer, pulse and blood pressures become lower, your breathing deepens, and your muscles contract and relax.

There is, however, a difference between laughter and humor. A sense of humor is deeper and sees the fun in everyday experiences. Humor makes life fun.

Humor also helps us keep things in perspective. G.K. Chesterton said angels can fly because they take themselves lightly. Barbara A. Brahm and Jan A. Thompson, of Ohio State University Extension, urge that we "take ourselves lightly, but not our responsibilities." Humor helps us keep our heads clear when dealing with difficult decisions. And, though we can't physically fly, humor can help us rise above our problems.

Also, humor helps us survive situations beyond our control. When the New York Yankees had won yet another World Series, Manager Casey Stengel was asked how he managed the egos of so many superstars. He replied: "The secret of managing is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the four who are undecided."

Often it isn't the situation which is upsetting to us, but the way we relate to it. Humor helps to make it bearable. Author and speaker Barbara Johnson quipped that laughter is much like changing a baby's diaper—it doesn't solve any problems permanently, but it makes things more acceptable for a while.

Years ago my children accompanied me to the beach hoping to enjoy the sun and surf only to discover an unusually large crowd and very little remaining beach space for our chairs. Further, blaring rock music from hundreds of "boom boxes" didn't provide a relaxing atmosphere. Smiling, we moved back a bit from the crowd and turned our radio to a classical music station at the maximum decibel level. Soon there were very few people nearby, and we relaxed and enjoyed God's gift of the beautiful ocean.

Proverbs 15:13 reminds us, "A happy heart makes the face cheerful." And the psalmist wrote, "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, 'The LORD has done great things for them'" (Psalm 126:2).

Justine A. Knight

Please note: All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of original publication but may have since changed.