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Laughter, Health, and God’s Law

Laughter, Health, and God’s Law

The Bible says that “a merry heart does good, like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22 NKJV).

But does being merry and cheerful actually bring real, measurable health benefits? According to science, the answer is a resounding “yes.” Here are just a few findings

  • Mirthful laughter reduces inflammation, improves diabetes control, and reduces incidence of heart attacks.[1]
  • Cardiologists at the University of Maryland found that patients who were suffering from myocardial infarction (heart attack) were 40 percent less likely to laugh. However, laughter was shown to reduce the risk of having a heart attack[2]
  • Other researchers found beneficial effects of laughter on the blood vessel. Nitric oxide is a chemical that the body uses to dilate blood vessels. Mental stress was shown to degrade nitric oxide. This would mean that laughter minimizes the negative effects of stress by reducing the breakdown of nitric oxide, leading to vasodilatation and better blood flow.[3] On average, laughter increased blood flow by 22 percent and stress decreased blood flow by 35 percent. [4]
  • Laughter has been shown to improve the response of the immune system.[5]
  • In a study performed by Berk LS, et al., they found increased blood levels of interferon-gamma (an immune product that fights infections and cancers) in ten healthy fasting males after being shown a comedy video (p=0.02).[6] As a result, interferons have become a line of pharmacotherapy in viral infections, systemic carcinomas, hepatitis B and C, in addition to the development of antiretroviral drugs.
  • There are two types of stress: distress (the negative type) and eustress (the positive type, which is also known as mirthful laughter). Distress increases stress hormones—such as beta-endorphins, corticotrophins, and catecholamines—but laughter (a form eustress) decreased these hormones, fortified activity of natural killer (NK) cells, activated T cells and B cells, and increased Ig levels. This means that laughter is capable of combating the negative aspects of distress and fortifying the individual’s immune system to help fight against various immune mediated illnesses.[7]

In addition to the benefits listed above, laughter provides you with many more benefits: reduced anger and irritability, improved mood, decreased stress and tension, improved pain threshold, improved lung function, and reduced blood sugar levels.[8]

I should point out here for those with certain medical conditions that, while mirthfulness and a cheerful attitude remain beneficial, vigorous or forceful laughter could cause problems: a hernia could be worsened; an aneurysm could be ruptured; uncontrolled asthmatics could have breathing difficulty; etc.

The attitude of our hearts has a real impact on our health and well-being. And this gives insight into why the Bible says we must call the Sabbath a delight (Isaiah 58:13). If we observe the Sabbath as a rule—merely an obligation to fulfill—a restriction, a time of all the things we can’t do, then the Sabbath isn’t a delight but a burden. Rather than being a blessing to us, the Sabbath observed in such a way, as a checklist of obedience, becomes a hardship. Health is not improved; in fact, it is actually worsened.

God’s laws are design law—the protocols upon which reality is built to operate, including the laws of health, physics, gravity, time, and the moral laws. Harmony with God’s laws always brings health and happiness, while violations are always damaging. Human beings cannot create reality; our laws are not the protocols upon which reality operates. Instead, sinful humans make up rules and then inflict punishments for breaking those rules, as there are no inherent consequences to violating such arbitrary rules.

When we replace the truth of God’s design laws for human imposed laws and experience obedience to God in the same we do human law (that is, under the threat of punishment), then we incite fear, stress, and anxiety, which damages our physical and mental well-being.

We can see that Ellen White, a pioneer of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, understood this principle. She wrote in Christ’s Object Lessons,

The man who attempts to keep the commandments of God from a sense of obligation—merely because he is required to do so—will never enter into the joy of obedience. He does not obey. When the requirements of God are accounted a burden because they cut across human inclination, we may know that the life is not a Christian life. True obedience is the outworking of a principle within. It springs from the love of righteousness, the love of the law of God. The essence of all righteousness is loyalty to our Redeemer. This will lead us to do right because it is right—because right doing is pleasing to God (p. 97., my emphasis).

What kind of law would one obey “merely because he is required to do so”? The answer is imperial law—a human-constructed system of rules, the same basis upon which penal-substitution law operates, in which rules are arbitrarily created, enforced, and punished. It’s a fraudulent law because it prevents people from experiencing God’s true healing plan. Why? Because it incites fear, stress, anxiety, which all lead to self-protecting behavior.

What kind of law would one obey “from the love of righteousness”—of right-doing? Only design law, in which God heals the heart so that we willingly follow the underlying protocols of His universe. This cannot be done from legal accounting, but by healing the heart and mind with true joy and peace.

This is a key to all God’s laws. They are design laws, with the real benefit of healing the human heart/character. Imperial law coerces your behavior by threats of punishment, but such law cannot change the heart. They are never an “outworking of a principle within.” Why? Because human-made laws don’t care about your heart; human governments care only about your obedience.

Love cannot be commanded; therefore, we cannot enforce God’s laws with threats. Likewise, God cannot change hearts, heal minds, nor transform characters by threatening to kill people who won’t love and trust Him. The only way to truly keep God’s law is from a free heart. To promote God’s kingdom with any other method than love, truth, and freedom is to advance Satan’s kingdom.

I invite you to rejoice, laugh, and be cheerful because God is our Creator and His laws of love are the protocols reality is built upon—understand these protocols and choose, with a free heart, to live in harmony with them. Reject the imperial-law lie infecting Christianity, which brings only stress, anxiety, and coerced behavior.

A merry heart is truly good medicine!


[1] Berk, L., et al, Mirthful laughter, as adjunct therapy in diabetic care, attenuates catecholamines, inflammatory cytokines, C-RP, and myocardial infarction occurrence, FASEB Journal, Vol. 22, No. 1_supplement, March 2008

[2] Vascular Medicine; Watching funny movies boosts blood flow to the heart. Health & Medicine Week,1660. Research Library database. (Document ID: 980266611); 2006.

[3] Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Nitric oxide; [Revised December 24, 2008].https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nitric_oxide&oldid=259865728.

[4] Vascular Medicine; Watching funny movies boosts blood flow to the heart. Health & Medicine Week,1660. Research Library database.(Document ID: 980266611); 2006.

[5] Berk LS, Tan SA, Fry WF. Eustress of humor associated laughter modulates specific immune system components. Annals of Behavioral Medicine. 1993;15:11.

Berk LS, Tan SA, Fry WF. et al. Neuroendocrine and stress hormone changes during mirthful laughter. American Journal of the Medical Sciences. 1989;298:390.

Berk LS, Tan SA, Nehlsen-Cannarella SL. et al. Humor associated laughter decreases cortisol and increases spontaneous lymphocyte blastogenesis. Clinical Research. 1988;36:435A.

Martin RA. Is Laughter the Best Medicine? Humor, Laughter, and Physical Health. Current Directions In Psychological Science. 2002;11(6):216–8.

[6] The Laughter – Immune Connection. Berk LS, Tan SA; [Revised November, 1996].https://www.hospitalclown.com/Past%20Issues/Final%20PDFs/Vol%202-2Berk.pdf.

[7] Berk LS, Tan SA, Napier BJ. et al. Eustress of mirthful laughter modifies natural killer cell activity. Clinical Research. 1989;37:115A.

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I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

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Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA

 

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I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

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We really appreciate your views on the judgment and they make good sense considering our free choice.

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Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

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I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 43

Two years ago I stumbled upon your book, “Could It Be This Simple,” and then found “The God-Shaped Brain” videos on YouTube, your bible study class, and the ‘Come And Reason’ mobile app. I shared your book with a friend and after nine months of showing love, patience, and kindness this person has been changed by the love of God, too. The same love that healed me, I now express to other women in tangible ways, such as to a Baptist woman with high anxiety and childhood trauma. She was extremely happy and relieved when I shared about the so-called “judgment of God” and burning in hell. She had no desire to serve a God that was so harsh. I have repeated the phrase dozens of times to her. “What we believe has power over us, but we have power over what we believe…”

This message that you are sharing has changed my life. I will continue to serve other women and bring this message of God’s healing love to their lives by sharing your books, YouTube videos, and The Remedy Bible app. Keep up the good work. Don’t be discouraged. God is doing a mighty work in and through this ministry!

Jill L., Midwest, USA

 

Testimony 71

When I was 9 years old, I remember setting at our devotional table with a hunger and thirst for God that wanted more, deeper, BETTER. I can remember literally crying and pounding on the table, “I know these teachers didn’t mean to give us error. They taught what THEY had been TAUGHT, but didn’t ANYBODY READ THE BOOK?!?!?” It mattered to me then. It mattered to me as a teenager. It matters now as I teach bible classes. It didn’t have to be so hard as I watched so many give up and lay God’s great plan and gift of salvation aside as being “impossible.” Then, a friend sent me a link to Come And Reason’s website. I grew excited. YES! FINALLY! Then another friend told me to stay away, saying her son had just broken up with a girl because she was involved with Come And Reason and that “Tim Jennings preaches a false gospel.” But, AFTER many years of developing an authentic and, dare I say FUN relationship with Jesus, through the Holy Spirit I see this message has been around a LONG time, since the apostle Paul, Ellen White, Graham Maxwell, Ray Foucher, and yourself (though I admit, you’ve made me back up, rewind and replay the clips, and get out my well-worn Bible on a few things.) I’m so thankful I have found LIGHT during these DARK days. I am not alone.

Vicki DiNitto

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The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

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We were given a gift of the DVD set, “God and Your Brain,” and we just finished watching it. The truths in this are so powerful and truly an answer to a prayer. We’re seeing hope where once we thought God wasn’t answering our prayers to be free of certain mindsets. He answered with these DVDs and we are hungry for more. Thank you!

Daniel T., Easley, SC, USA

 

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It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

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I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

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Testimony 65

I have been tuning into your weekly study classes for a while now and wanted express my appreciation for the teachings that ha been a huge blessing in opening up the true message of the word. Viewing scripture under an imposed law theory always, without fail, raised more questions, concerns, and conflicting scripture interpretations that were discouraging at the very least. Looking at scripture through the design law lens has brought more truth to light for me personally and an understanding of our Heavenly Father that places Him “above all others,” where I am now more than thrilled to witness and serve Him.  I “stumbled” across this ministry a year or so ago and would only watch a few minutes at a time. But the more I listened and the longer I paid attention, the more my spiritual eyes were opened to the ever present truths of scripture. The comprehension of the great controversy and it’s origin by the lies perpetrated and perpetuated throughout the Bible on the attack of God’s character and government is truly priceless. Keep up the Good Work! Your servanthood is desperately needed in such a time as this!

Jeff D., Reading, MA, USA

 

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Thank you for the ministry you are sharing with us, it is a real blessing to us and especially to my husband and myself! You are encouraging us to think for ourselves and not just to except everything, without thinking it through, with God’s word!

M.K., USA