I read a post from “Your Mind,” of a man who was famously healed from a terminal illness through laughter. Norman Cousins’ story is told in “Anatomy of an Illness” (1976), showing that positive emotions can activate the body’s healing systems. The term, “laughter is the best medicine” is physiology.

The article went on to say that our mood influences our immune system. Scientists in Israel conducted a remarkable study. They put a single drop of a participant’s blood under a microscope and projected it on a screen. They observed the macrophages— the blood’s “clean-up crew”—lying dormant, ignoring their job entirely, while bacteria wandered freely. 

In a separate room, the participant was shown a funny movie. As his emotional state of mind lifted, his blood sample under the microscope—in the other room—was affected. The “clean-up crew” suddenly “woke up” and started to devour the bacterium with enthusiasm. The takeaway: the state of our consciousness plays a critical role in maintaining our immune cells.  

Find ways to cultivate joy, laughter, and inner harmony. Sing and dance with joy in the God of your salvation. Jan wrote this prayer from Habakkuk 2: 20; 3:1-2, 16-19 (paraphrased):

Father, in silence, I listen to what you will say.

I know the things that have made you famous,

and I’m stunned when I remember your miracles.

Come—do them again in us, in our day, 

so that this generation experiences 

your great and mighty works.

The light of your Kingdom is shining

through the darkest night.

I’m holding to your promise, walking in the light.

Though my heart pounds,

I will tell it to be still and quietly rest.

You will show us mercy in this time of turmoil.

Even if nothing blossoms and bears fruit,

if all fails and produces no harvest,

and I hear only bad news,

I still have you, Father! 

You are the Joy of my heart—

who triumphs over all losses.

No matter what, I will dance with joy,

for I have a Savior-God—The Lord of My Strength.

You will cause me to ride upon the high places

so that I might conquer with your song.