I am no longer the things of my past...I am the daughter of the Great I AM.

Exodus 3:14
And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"
2 Corithians 6:18
I will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

An Important part of Marriage: Laughter

A few years ago, our family was going through a tough time. We had moved to a new town for a job that turned out to be a lot less than what was promised. We were struggling financially, and living in a town with no family or close friends. This was causing a strain on our marriage.

Though we both were praying for direction, for guidance, for deliverance... we both were also miserable. Jason, who is prone to worry (although this area has improved greatly) was trying desperately to "fix" the situation we were in. I am just the opposite of Jason, the forever optimist. I was trying to encourage him. However, I was not encouraging in a way that helped him. I was trying to give him pep talks. But to him, it seemed more like I was reprimanding him for not letting his worry go. I should have been listening instead of talking. Giving counsel instead of telling what I thought he was doing wrong.

One night, Jason said or did something that made me laugh. Not just a little snicker, but a real laugh. The type that brought tears to my eyes and made me lose my breath. I don't remember what it was, and truthfully, it probably wasn't that funny. However, it made us both laugh hard and long. He was mostly laughing a me... but still laughing.

As the laughter finished, we both realized that we had not laughed together in months! We missed it. That little bit of laughter turned around our whole attitudes. We sat down and discussed our situation. Prayed together, and trusted God together. Our whole outlook changed... and our circumstances began to change as well.

I recently saw this picture on Facebook:

I am here to testify that yes, laughter does make marriage better.

Proverbs 17:22(NLT) A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.