Daily Devotional
A Merry Heart Is Medicine

May 15, 2018

After World War II, there were a lot of orphans in Germany. A group of behavioral scientists decided to study some of these little ones, so they took 100 children and put 50 in one group and 50 in another group.

One group of children was given everything that they needed: food, bedding, clothing, as well as lots of loving attention and affection. The other 50 children had their physical needs met, but they received no loving attention or affection. Now, we may question whether or not these scientists had any right to do this, but the experiment took place.

After a year, both groups were tested. Those children who received loving attention and affection were an average of two inches taller and several pounds heavier. The other group had more diseases and sickness.

Proverbs 17:22 says, "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones." Did you know that laughter is like medicine? A research project in New York has shown the positive effect laughter can have on a person's attitude, coping skills, relationships, and creativity. Humor can enhance motivation and morale. Laughter is a gift of God. God made us that way.

You know, we're building for our children and our children's children a museum of memories. I want the memories my children and grandchildren have to be memories of a happy home, a home that rings with laughter.