Charles R. Swindoll - Laugh Again: Experience Outrageous Joy

LAUGH
AGAIN

OTHER PUBLICATIONS BY CHARLES R. SWINDOLL

Active Spirituality
The Bride

Compassion: Showing We Care
in a Careless World

The Darkness and the Dawn

David: A Man of Passion
and Destiny

Day by Day
Dear Graduate
Dropping Your Guard

Elijah: A Man of Heroism and Humility

Encourage Me

Esther: A Woman of Strength
and Dignity

The Finishing Touch
Flying Closer to the Flame
For Those Who Hurt
Gods Provision
The Grace Awakening
Growing Deep in the Christian Life
Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life
Growing Wise in Family Life
Hand Me Another Brick
Home: Where Life Makes Up Its Mind
Hope Again
Improving Your Serve
Intimacy with the Almighty

Joseph: A Man of Integrity
and Forgiveness

Killing Giants, Pulling Thorns

Laugh Again
Leadership: Influence That Inspires
Living Above the Level of Mediocrity

Living Beyond the Daily Grind,
Books I and II

The Living Insights Study Bible
General Editor

Living on the Ragged Edge
Make Up Your Mind
Man to Man
Moses: A Man of Selfless Dedication
The Mystery of Gods Will
The Quest for Character
Recovery: When Healing Takes Time
The Road to Armageddon
Sanctity of Life
Simple Faith
Simple Trust
Starting Over
Start Where You Are
Strengthening Your Grip
Stress Fractures
Strike the Original Match
The Strong Family
Suddenly One Morning
The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart
Three Steps Forward, Two Steps Back
Victory: A Winning Game Plan for Life
Why, God?
You and Your Child

LAUGH
AGAIN

CHARLES R.
SWINDOLL

1992 by Charles R. Swindoll.

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form, except for brief quotations in reviews, without written permission from the publisher.

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations used in this book are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

Published in Nashville, TN, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a trademark of Thomas Nelson, Inc.

Thomas Nelson, Inc. titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

Other Scripture quotations are from the following sources:

The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV). Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers.

The New Testament in Modern English (PHILLIPS) by J. B. Phillips, published by The Macmillan Company, 1958, 1960, 1972 by J. B. Phillips.

The Good News Bible, Todays English Version (TEV)Old Testament: Copyright American Bible Society 1976; New Testament: Copyright American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976.

The Living Bible (TLB), copyright 1971 by Tyndale House Publishers, Wheaton, Ill. Used by permission.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Swindoll, Charles R.
Laugh again / Charles R. Swindoll.
p. cm.
ISBN 10: 0849936799
ISBN 13: 978-0849936791
1. JoyReligious aspectsChristianity. 2. LaughterReligious aspectsChristianity. I. Title.
BV4647.J68S95 1992
248.4dc20

92-17825
CIP

Printed in the United States of America

07 08 09 10 11 12 RRD 29 28 27 26 25 24

This book is affectionately dedicated to
Al and Margaret Sanders
and
Jon and Peggy Campbell
with gratitude for their unselfish devotion
to the radio ministry of
Insight for Living.
It was the Sanderses vision that launched the broadcasts and
the Campbells commitment that sustained it during its infancy. Because of their tireless involvement in and appreciation for the ministry, I find myself encouraged and invigorated. And because of their spirit of outrageous joy, our times together are often punctuated with fun and laughter.

Contents

The closest a man can come to understanding childbirth is by writing a book. Passing a kidney stone ranks right up there. Ive had four of those, but thats another story.

The process of this particular bookbirth has been unusually delightful and relatively free of pain. Maybe after my many literary kids, Im getting the hang of it.

Those who have served as midwives are among the best in the business. Byron Williamson, Kip Jordon, Ernie Owen, and David Moberg not only rejoiced to know I was expecting, but they also helped name the baby and provided a colorful jacket for it to wear. In fact the whole atmosphere they brought to the delivery center was so pleasant, I found myself forgetting that it was supposed to be a difficult process.

Once again I want to express my gratitude to Helen Peters, who cleaned the baby up after it was born. Thanks also to Judith Markham and Ed Curtis, who again gave me wise editorial counsel and helpful ideas that would keep this newborn healthy and strong. As all my immediate family members either came by to visit or phoned to see how I was feeling as I was moving closer to the delivery date, my spirits were lifted. And, as always, Cynthia was especially encouraging, knowing how concerned I was that this be a happy baby and free of needless complications. Her supportive presence proved crucial.

Finally, I want to declare my gratitude to my Great Physician who allowed me to meet with Him regularly without a scheduled appointment, provided excellent checkups, demonstrated compassionate care, and assisted me in the birth with gentleness and joy. I knew that everything was going to be all right because immediately after it was born, something most unusual happened. Unlike all the others I have had, when this one finally came, it laughed.

I am grateful for you too. As you hold it close and enjoy its company, may its happy disposition bring you hours of delight. All I ask is that when it smiles at you, smile back. If you do, you will soon discover a bond forming between the two of you that will lighten your load and help you relax. It is a funny thing about babiesthe way they curl up in our arms and become a part of our lives the longer we spend time with them. Who knows? At some unguarded moment when you two are all alone and no one else is watching, you might even break down and laugh again. Feel free. As a proud parent, I cant think of anything that would please me more.

This is a book about joy.

Its about relaxing more, releasing the tension, and refusing to let circumstances dominate our attitudes.

Its about looking at life from a perspective other than todays traffic report or the evening news.

Its about giving the child within us permission to look at life and laugh again.

Can you remember when life was joyful? I certainly can. Without any knowledge of the Dow index or the drop in the gross national product or the accelerating crime rate in twenty-five of Americas largest cities or the decreasing health-care benefits in our countrys major companies, I was happy as a clam. I neither expected much nor needed much. Life was meant to be enjoyed, not endured, and therefore every day I found somethinganythingto laugh about.

Through my childlike eyes people were funny. (When did they stop being funny?) When school was out and those lazy, hazy months of summer were mine to enjoy, there was usually enough water somewhere to swim in or a basketball to dribble and shoot hoops with or old roller skates to make a sidewalk scooter from or a crazy joke to laugh at. (When did everything get so serious?)