Laughing actually hurts. Scientists from the University of Oxford found the contracting of the core muscles causes us pain, but our body compensates by sending out endorphins to mask the ache. It’s why when we belly-laugh too hard for too long, we’ve heard people exclaim, “Stop it hurts.” That’s because the endorphins have run out.
For my husband, the endorphins ran out after investing in a business to help some friends. He was excited about the company’s potential and had great ideas, but when he looked under the hood, issues became apparent, ranging from owner mismanagement to employee theft. No matter what he did, it seemed there was always another hurdle to jump. It came down to losing the entire investment or risking more capital to purchase the company and hope God would bless our efforts. We wondered if we’d heard God wrong. We questioned whether we’d had the right timing. Those were some dark and uncertain days.
It’s when you come to the end of yourself – there’s no more agenda, you’re at the end of your rope, and the initial high is over – that’s when faith takes over.
After the Israelites left Babylonian captivity, they ran into resistance trying to rebuild the Lord’s temple. They figured maybe it wasn’t God’s timing, so they gave up. However, in doing so, they lost God’s favor. No matter what they did, they were unsuccessful until they put God’s agenda above theirs.
From this day forward, I will bless you. – Haggai 2:19
One of our employees who’d been reading Haggai pointed out the similarities of the Israelite’s situation and the company’s crisis. We’d been fighting so hard to survive, we forgot the reason we were in existence. From that moment forward, my husband decided we’d put God first, to the point he had Haggai 2:19 written in big letters on the wall. Everyone working for our company now knows God is the one calling the shots and to Him be the glory. The culture has changed, and things have improved slowly day by day.
If your laughter changes to pain, may you be reminded that ultimately it is God’s will we want to see done not ours, and when we rely on Him, joy comes in the morning.
For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning. – Psalm 30:5
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