“You’ve got to be kidding me!” I yelled in frustration. There was a flood yet again in our home. The pumps could not keep up with the deluge of water that was pouring down from the heavens. So the routine of slopping around muddy water and cleaning off anything that may have fallen in ensued. It was getting ridiculous and it seemed like I could pull my hair out. This, of course, happened after a series of other cultural frustrations and probably some of the kids making a mess or any number of other annoyances. In the midst of my deep sighing and “ughs”, my husband stands straight and starts laughing. Not seeing any humor in our situation, I was puzzled and questioned what could be so funny. His answer turned the situation (at least for him) from catastrophic to comical. He said, “Sometimes, in the midst of it all, you just have to laugh! Come on, just laugh with me! This is crazy and uncontrollable so might as well laugh about it.” 

He had a point. One that I did not join enthusiastically at first. I had too much frustration staring me in the face. I actually don’t remember if I ever joined him in the amusement. I had to walk away and catch my breath (which is also a good coping strategy). 

“A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.” Prov. 17:22 (NKJ) My husband was taking some medicine while I went and dried my bones for another few minutes. There is nothing more powerful than facing a challenge with the complete opposite spirit to render it powerless. At that moment, my husband saw the humor in all the things we were facing. So many times, if we take stock of all the crazy swirling about us, it could feel so ridiculous that it seems impossible. Yet, it is possible ‘cause we are living it! Our lives are not always filled with life-changing stories of lives being changed and hearts turning to Jesus. Sometimes and more often than we would like to embrace, it is filled with the mundane everyday nuisances that chip away at our peace, our hope, and our joy. That is the perfect time to take stock of the situation and “take some medicine”. The Passion translation says it this way, "A joyful, cheerful heart brings healing to both body and soul.” So, in the midst of the chaos, don’t forget to stop and laugh. It could make the cleanup that much more enjoyable.