Do you ever “laugh out loud” with God? My friends Pam Farrel and Dawn Wilson think you can – and should! Their devotional book, “LOL with God: Devotional Messages of Hope and Humor for women,” encourage us girls to find joy and laughter in God’s presence.
About a week ago I received an “influencer” copy of “LOL with God” in the mail. After just a few minutes I knew I wanted to share this fresh, unique book with you. So, I contacted Pam and Dawn and asked them to answer a few questions for all of us.
Q: Can a person really laugh out loud with God?
I (Dawn) believe we not only can laugh with God, but it is part of our joy as a Christ-follower. We glorify God as we live in humility, repentance, obedience and service; and we enjoy God as we relax in His presence and sense what He is doing in our lives. We smile as we praise Him, and it’s not unusual for those smiles to break into laughter when we see and experience the goodness of God. “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).
Q: What is the role of joy in the life of a Christian woman?
We talk a lot about joy in LOL with God, as you might expect. Joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) — a gift we have from the Lord. But I (Pam) also encourage women to go on a scripture “Joy Hunt,” because, as I tell women, “Cultivating joy is an adventure.” We read about the joy that is ours in the Word of God, but it’s also fun to find humor in life. It’s all around us, if we just watch and listen. And we tell a lot of “joy-filled” stories in LOL with God.
Q: What can we do when we don’t feel like “laughing out loud?”
I (Pam) like to remind all of my sisters in Christ that “Choosin’ joy” is a strong antidote for a stress-filled life. Joy wells up in our hearts when we know the Lord, but it’s also an attitude choice, something we can cultivate.
Yes, I (Dawn) think the choice of joy is a key factor in our ability to deal with the stresses of life. The “joy of the Lord is our strength” and a vital part of our testimony. We may not feel like expressing joy in our lives, but we can choose how we react to life. People are watching our lives. We shouldn’t fake joy—that would be hypocrisy. But we do need to relax in God and allow Him to express Himself through us. There have been times when I’ve struggled so hard with life; but in those times, I went to God, prayed, leaned hard on Him, and offered a joyful sacrifice of praise. People noticed. They asked how I could have joy in that moment, and I had the opportunity to share the power of the Gospel.
Our book shares 10 things to do when you don’t feel like LOL-ing. Here are three as a little preview:
- Be proactive—Do something you know you’ve enjoyed in the past that is healthy and good for you.
- Be relational —Make a connection with someone you love and who loves you.
- Be active—Get off that couch and move. Exercise releases endorphins that will make you feel better after working out.
Pam and Dawn’s book is full of spiritual encouragement and stories that will make you literally “laugh out loud!” If your soul needs a pick-me-up or you know someone who does, get your copy of “LOL with God” today!
Pam Farrel is a relationship specialist, international speaker, and the author of more than 30 books including the best-seller, Men are like Waffles, Women are like Spaghetti. Reach Pam at www.farrelcommunications.com
Dawn Wilson is the founder and director of Heart Choices Ministries and writes about women’s issues and personal revival on her blog, Heart Choices Today.
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