Charles R. Swindoll - Laugh Again Hope Again: Two Books to Inspire a Joy-Filled Life

LAUGH AGAIN

HOPE AGAIN

TWO BOOKS to INSPIRE
A JOY - FILLED LIFE

CHARLES R.
SWINDOLL

Laugh Again 1992 by Charles R. Swindoll
Hope Again 1996 by Charles R. Swindoll

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Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE. The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission.

Scripture quotations marked NIV are from the HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked PHILLIPS are from J. B. Phillips: THE NEW TESTAMENT IN MODERN ENGLISH, Revised Edition. J. B. Phillips 1958, 1960, 1972. Used by permission of Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.

Scripture quotations marked TEV are from Todays English Version. American Bible Society 1966, 1971, 1976, 1992.

Scripture quotations marked TLB are from The Living Bible. 1971. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from The King James Version of the Bible. Public Domain.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are from The Message by Eugene H. Peterson. 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-4002-8061-2

ISBN: 978-1-4002-0271-3 (tp)

Printed in the United States of America

09 10 11 12 13 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

LAUGH AGAIN

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 healthcare 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?)

Our family of five had no wealth whatsoever. My dad was a machinist, often holding down more than one job to make ends meet. My mom stayed home and did all the stuff moms do at home with three strong-willed, very normal kids. Since there was a war raging on both sides of our nation, we had a truckload of reasons not to laugh... but I never got that message back then. I was a child and I did what children did. We made music in our family, another relaxing pastime. Some of it was pretty scary music, but we laughed that off too. And why not? I mean, it wasnt like we were rehearsing for Carnegie Hall or hoping to get a scholarship to the Juilliard School of Music. We were just having fun... and music was the creative avenue we chose to enjoy. Boy, did we ever! (Why have families stopped making music together?)

While flying back from Germany in the fall of 1990, I met a delightful man with an infectious laugh. It was fascinating talking with him, and as we talked, I learned that he speaks all around the world and brings joy to thousands, from prisoners to presidents. As you can imagine, he had one great story after another, most of them true and each one absolutely hilarious. Our multiple-hour flight passed all too quickly.