Laughter is a wonderful gift that lightens our hearts and lifts our spirits. Even the Bible celebrates joy, humor, and the refreshing power of a cheerful heart.
On National Tell A Joke Day, it’s perfect to reflect on some uplifting verses that remind us to smile, rejoice, and enjoy God’s blessings with a joyful heart. Here are quick Bible verses to inspire laughter, hope, and happiness in your day!
1. The Joy of the Lord is Our Strength: Nehemiah 8:10
“Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
This verse reminds us that joy isn’t just a fleeting feeling, it’s a powerful source of inner strength given by God. When we face challenges, embracing joy keeps our spirits resilient. On a day celebrating humor and laughter, this verse encourages us to tap into God’s joy to renew our courage and outlook.
2. A Cheerful Heart is Good Medicine: Proverbs 17:22
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Proverbs highlights how a joyful spirit positively impacts our health and well-being. Laughter and cheerfulness act like healing medicine for the soul. This verse perfectly fits National Tell A Joke Day as it encourages us to keep a happy heart that brings life and vitality.
3. Rejoice Always: 1 Thessalonians 5:16
“Rejoice always.”
Short but powerful, this simple command encourages continual rejoicing regardless of circumstances. It reminds us that joy and laughter are not just occasional treats but should be woven into our daily lives as a reflection of God’s enduring love and grace.
4. A Time to Laugh: Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
This verse beautifully acknowledges the balance of emotions in life. There’s a season for everything, including laughter. National Tell A Joke Day celebrates that special time for joy and laughter, reminding us to embrace moments of lightheartedness amid life’s ups and downs.
5. God Loves a Cheerful Giver: 2 Corinthians 9:7
“Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
Joy and generosity go hand in hand. This verse emphasizes that God values a joyful attitude even in giving. On a day dedicated to spreading smiles, it reminds us that happiness often grows when shared willingly and cheerfully.
6. Laughter and Gladness: Psalm 126:2
“Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy.”
This verse paints a vivid picture of a joyful celebration, full of laughter and singing. It’s a beautiful reminder that moments of joy and laughter are gifts from God that refresh our souls and bring communities closer together.
7. The Lord Your God is with You: Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
Imagine God rejoicing and singing over you! This verse highlights God’s joyful love for us, showing that divine delight and celebration are part of our relationship with Him, inviting us to join in that joy and laughter.
8. Be Glad and Rejoice: Psalm 118:24
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Each day is a gift from God, worthy of gladness and rejoicing. This verse encourages us to embrace the present moment with joy, making every day a celebration of life, perfectly aligned with the spirit of National Tell A Joke Day.
9. Rejoice in Hope: Romans 12:12
“Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”
This verse links joy with hope and faithfulness, reminding us that joy is not only for good times but also a hopeful attitude through challenges. It inspires us to maintain a joyful heart, even while praying and trusting God in difficult seasons.
10. Pleasant Words are Like Honey: Proverbs 16:24
“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Laughter often comes with kind and pleasant words. This proverb teaches that sweet, gracious speech nourishes and heals us. On a day to share jokes and smiles, it reminds us that words can uplift and bring joy just like laughter does.
11. A Time to Dance: Ecclesiastes 3:4
“A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”
This verse reminds us that life has seasons for all emotions and activities. Dancing and laughter are joyful expressions, and this balance shows how laughter is part of God’s design for a full and meaningful life. National Tell A Joke Day celebrates these moments of joy and fun.
12. Smile with Your Heart: Proverbs 15:13
“A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit.”
Here, we see the connection between inner joy and outward expressions. A joyful heart naturally reflects in a cheerful smile, brightening not only our face but also those around us. This verse encourages us to cultivate genuine happiness from within.
13. God’s Delight in Us: Psalm 149:4
“For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.”
God delights in His people with joy and celebration. This verse highlights the joyful relationship between God and us, reminding us that we are precious to Him. Celebrating humor and joy echoes this divine delight.
14. Joy Comes in the Morning: Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
This verse offers hope that sorrow is temporary and joy will return. It’s a reminder that laughter and happiness are renewed daily by God’s grace, perfect for embracing the lighthearted spirit of National Tell A Joke Day.
15. A Light Heart is Good Medicine: Proverbs 17:22
“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.”
Reiterating the healing power of joy, this verse shows that laughter and cheerfulness nourish our whole being, physically and emotionally. It’s a biblical endorsement of humor’s positive effects on health.
16. God Rejoices Over You: Zephaniah 3:17
“The Lord your God is with you… He will rejoice over you with singing.”
God’s love includes joy and celebration. This verse paints a beautiful image of God rejoicing over us, encouraging us to rejoice in return and to spread that joy through laughter and kindness.
17. Laughter in the Heart: Proverbs 15:15
“All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.”
This verse contrasts sorrow with joy, showing how a cheerful heart enjoys life continually. It celebrates the abundance that joy brings, likened to a feast, a fitting image for a day dedicated to humor.
18. Rejoice with Those Who Rejoice: Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
This verse encourages empathy but also celebrates shared joy. On National Tell A Joke Day, it reminds us to join in laughter and happiness with others, strengthening bonds through shared delight.
19. Joy as a Strength: Nehemiah 8:10
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Again emphasizing joy’s power, this verse encourages us to draw strength from God’s joy, which uplifts and empowers us to face life’s challenges with a positive spirit.
20. The Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.”
Joy is listed among the fruits produced by a life led by the Holy Spirit. This verse shows joy as a natural and essential part of Christian living, something that flourishes when we walk with God.
21. Gladness in God’s Presence: Psalm 16:11
“You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
Joy is found in God’s presence, and this verse reminds us that being close to God fills our hearts with gladness that naturally overflows in laughter and celebration.
22. God’s Peace Brings Joy: Philippians 4:4
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”
Paul’s encouragement to rejoice continually emphasizes that joy in God is steadfast and unwavering. This verse is a call to celebrate God’s peace with joyful hearts every day.
23. Laughter and Wisdom: Ecclesiastes 7:6
“Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it.”
While not directly about laughter, wisdom often includes knowing when to enjoy life’s lighter moments. This verse encourages a balanced approach where humor and wisdom coexist for a protected, joyful life.
Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.