We all need a good laugh now and then, don’t we?

But how often do we really get a good laugh? Laughter is anatomically caused by the epiglottis constricting the larynx; this is not exactly a definition that will cause the reaction it is describing, but it does effectively define a “laugh,” which seems like something we can forget about at times in our busy lives.

We have on our power suit and power tie; we have our venti, mocha, soy, non-fat, low-fat, triple shot, extra hot … um, coffee. We have our iPhone, iPod, iPad and anything else we deem cool enough to throw the lower case “i” in front of. We are ready to be our own Ferris Bueller and take the world on, but we are missing one of the most powerful tools when it comes to human relationships: a smile.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all about getting your game face on, strategizing and planning your next move up the ladder; but I wonder if sometimes we can take it a bit too far. If you find yourself getting easily irritated with the server at the restaurant, honking when the person in front of you doesn’t act like Mario Andretti the instant the light turns green or thinking to yourself that with the amount of tension headaches you have been having lately, you should probably sign an advertising endorsement with Tylenol, then you probably have been taking yourself and life a little too seriously.

Let me encourage you to make it a habit to laugh every single day. I am not talking about the little inconspicuous, cover-your-mouth-because-someone-might-see-you laugh. No, the kind of laugh I am talking about is the milk-coming-out-of-your-nose, side-hurting, tear-bringing laugh. Try it. I think you will like it.

The Bible speaks of laughter. It relates laughter to joy and singing because of all that the Lord has done. Psalm 126:2-3 says, “We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the Lord has done for them.’ Yes, the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!”

I know life has its ups and downs. It does for everyone. We all have stress, pressures and responsibilities. But if you sit back and realize how nice it is for us living in the United States, how good the Lord has been to us and that Lord said he would never leave us or forsake us, life will take on a completely different perspective. If you realize all that the Lord has done in your life and the blessings that you have, I think you will share the Psalmist point of view and laugh and sing with joy.

This week let me challenge you to find someone you can laugh with on a regular basis: a spouse, a coworker, a friend or even Charlie Brown and the gang in the comic section of the paper. Laugh at the little ironies of life, those awkward moments in life, those silly things your kids do, hilarious YouTube videos that you have to watch over and over, re-runs of Seinfeld (my favorite), the fact that the only time your gas tank is on “E” is when you’re running late or anything else that you find hilarious.

However, if you are one of those folks who doesn’t consider “humor” your thing, or who has no great stories to share, no funny one-liners and not a single joke that would ever make anyone at least crack a smile, you are in luck, my friend. Have I got a joke for you! It is both extremely corny and cheesy. In fact, it is so bad I had to combine both words to create my own word for this joke: corn-eezy. It may not be milk-coming-out-of-your-nose funny, but it will bring a smile to your face. Feel free to cut this joke out and claim it as your own. I won’t tell.

There was a mama bird, a papa bird and a baby bird. They were trying to decide which way to fly for the winter. The mama bird said, “My instincts tell me to fly south.” The papa bird said, “Well, my instincts tell me to fly north.” Then the baby bird thought for a minute and said, “Well my end stinks too, but it doesn’t tell me anything!”

Be honest. You’re at least smiling now, aren’t you?

Chris Emmitt is the pastor of the 1 p.m. service at Community Bible Church. If you are looking for a home church, sleep in and come check it out. There is always great music, relevant teaching and free coffee. Check out video sermons at www.communitybible.com, or you can contact Emmitt via e-mail at chris@communitybible.com. You can also find him on Twitter (chrisemmitt) or on Facebook.