February 3, 2026

Laughter With Friends Is a Great Connector
BECKY HARLING

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“A cheerful heart is good medicine …” Proverbs 17:22 (NIV) 

Life is messy at times. We need a good belly chuckle to keep our hearts cheerful. And laughter definitely builds deeper friendships.

Recently, a friend of mine told me about a time when she was praying over women at the altar of her church. My friend had gum in her mouth, and to her horror, while she was praying, it came loose and got stuck in the long hair of the person she was praying over.

Panic set in, and my friend began to gently try to get the gum out. She continued praying as she carefully worked. Finally, she got the gum out, popped it back in her mouth, and said, “Amen.” When she told me that story, we laughed hard.

Another friend and I were meeting for lunch. We clarified the restaurant but not the city. I was in Denver waiting for her while she was in Colorado Springs. We laughed pretty hard over that one!

Here’s the thing: Life is filled with challenging circumstances. Because pain and sorrow abound, laughter goes a long way toward lifting our spirits and building our friendships.

The writer of Proverbs 17:22 wrote that “a cheerful heart is good medicine” for the ache in our souls. Such wisdom! In friendship, laughter is a great gift that knits our hearts together with joy.

How do you and I bring laughter back to our friendships?

• Learn to laugh at yourself. I’m convinced most of us take ourselves too seriously. I did for many years. However, there is such freedom in laughing about our embarrassing moments.

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• Look for humor every day. We might think Jesus was serious all the time, but that isn’t true. Some of His parables are downright funny! For example, take the parable of the mustard seed. Jesus said His Kingdom was like that fast-growing seed (Matthew 13:31-32). But what you might not know is that it was illegal at the time to plant mustard seeds because the plant would take over an entire yard. It seems Jesus was using a sense of humor in His story. It’s fun to be friends with someone who has a sense of humor! So look for something funny every day.

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• Lean into God to restore your joy. There will be grief and sorrow, and you can grieve authentically. You can also ask God to restore your joy. Praise and enjoy Him as the ultimate friend. Ask Him to give you moments of laughter even in the challenging seasons of life.

Life will hand us moments that bring tears, but God, in His kindness, also sprinkles our days with laughter. May we be the kind of friends who welcome laughter back into our circles as a reminder that God is still good, still present, and still able to fill us with joy.

Lord, I praise You for Your sense of humor. Thank You for the gift of laughter! I pray my friendships will be filled with joy and laughter as well as with serious conversations. Fill me, I pray, with a sense of humor that blesses others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

OUR FAVORITE THINGS

How are you doing, friend-wise? If you’re juggling little ones, new in town, or just don’t have the energy to initiate (again) … you’re not alone. Friend-Wise: Practical Ideas for Richer Relationships by Becky Harling is your gentle, joy-filled guide to building lasting friendships, complete with wisdom, encouragement, and a little belly laughter along the way. We were made for deep, meaningful friendships, so order your copy of Friend-Wise today.

ENGAGE

For more encouragement to build stronger friendships, check out Friend-Wise, and learn more about Becky Harling on her website, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4a, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens … a time to weep and a time to laugh …” (NIV).

Where has God surprised you with laughter lately, even (or especially) in a season that felt heavy?

Which friendship in your life could use a little more lightheartedness, and what simple step could you take this week to spark joy together? Share with us in the comments.

© 2026 by Becky Harling. All rights reserved.

Proverbs 31 Ministries thanks Moody Publishers for their sponsorship of today’s devotion.

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Proverbs 31 Ministries
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Matthews, NC 28106
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