When Laughter Heals: Finding Joy (and God) in Life’s Funniest Moments
Let’s start with a little honesty: sometimes the only thing you can do is laugh.
Like when the toddler dumps cereal across the kitchen floor five minutes after you swept. Or when the school email suddenly announces tomorrow is “dress like your favorite historical figure day,” and you have exactly zero costumes ready.
Single motherhood has serious moments. But it also has moments so ridiculous that laughter becomes the only reasonable response. And here’s the good news: God is not allergic to laughter. In fact, faith and laughter have always gone together.
Proverbs 17:22 says:
A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Sometimes the medicine we need most is joy in the middle of a chaotic day.
1) The Bible actually has some funny moments
When we think about Scripture, we usually picture solemn moments and serious lessons. But the Bible also contains surprising moments of humor. Take Balaam’s donkey in Numbers 22.
Picture this: a man riding along when his donkey suddenly turns around and starts talking to him.
Not metaphorically. Literally talking.
Moments like this remind us that the Bible is full of real life—unexpected, human, and sometimes downright funny. God understands humor. After all, He created laughter.
2) Laughter releases pressure in hard seasons
Single moms carry a lot.
Schedules. Bills. Parenting decisions. Emotional weight. The constant pressure of being everything for everyone.
That pressure can build quickly. But laughter breaks the tension. A funny moment with your kids. A story shared with another mom who understands. A moment where you realize life is just a little ridiculous.
Faith and laughter work together because joy reminds us that God is still present—even when life feels messy.
3) Community multiplies joy
Laughter gets even better when it is shared.
That is one reason community matters so much. When single moms gather together, something powerful happens. Stories get shared. Encouragement grows. And yes, laughter shows up too.
At Shepherd’s Village, we see this all the time in our classes and support groups. When one mom shares a moment from her week and everyone else immediately says, “Yep, been there,” the room fills with connection and relief.
4) Sometimes laughter helps us understand Scripture differently
We recently drew inspiration from a Shepherd’s Village class with guest speaker Anthony Russo, creator of The Bible Is Funny. His work highlights how humor can spark fresh curiosity about Scripture.
Sometimes a verse sounds outrageous out of context. And that is exactly why it sticks. Laughter can open the door to deeper understanding and remind us that engaging with God’s Word can be both meaningful and joyful.
5) Joy is a spiritual strength
Laughter is not just emotional relief. It is spiritual strength.
Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us:
The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Joy fuels endurance. Joy reminds us the story is not finished yet. And when your home is filled with laughter—even the chaotic, imperfect kind—you are building something powerful for your kids.
A home where resilience grows.
A home where grace wins.
A home where hope lives.
A simple challenge this week
Try one of these small steps this week:
Share a funny moment from your week with another mom
Watch or listen to something that brings wholesome laughter
Look for the surprising humor in a Bible story
Start a “funniest moment of the day” tradition with your kids
Join a Shepherd’s Village class or support group
Joy does not require perfect circumstances. Sometimes it starts with noticing the funny moment already sitting in front of you.
You don’t have to do this alone
If life has felt heavy lately, Shepherd’s Village is here to walk alongside you. Through classes, support groups, mentoring, and Christ-centered community, we help single moms find practical support and renewed confidence for the future.
Because sometimes healing begins with a conversation.
And sometimes…
it begins with laughter.