The Couple's Road Trip Guide by Parafinik Josh;Parafinik Aminda;

Author:Parafinik, Josh;Parafinik, Aminda;
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing

Action Steps

Talk to your spouse about your relationship fears. Discuss your feelings about divorce and how those feelings affect your reaction to conflict. How does fear impact both your vision and your feelings about a lifelong marriage?

Discuss any past hurts or mistakes which may be hindering your trust.

CHAPTER 7

SLUG BUG!

Cultivate a Healthy Sense of Humor

Before our trip, Josh’s mom gave us a gag Christmas gift: a matching pair of dolls called Mr. and Mrs. Wonderful. When the dolls’ hands are pinched, they spout off one of those clichés that every spouse supposedly wants to hear. For example, Mrs. Wonderful, in her warm and cheery voice, might say, “It’s okay honey. I’ll take out the trash today.”

The suave Mr. Wonderful might respond, “Aawww, let’s just cuddle tonight, Sweetie,” or “I think I’ll just pull over here and ask for directions.”

These dolls traveled with us during our road trip, and they lightened the mood if it threatened to become too serious. “Did I say something annoying, Sweetie? Well, here, maybe Mrs. Wonderful will make you feel better.”

A healthy sense of humor is not only a great tool for diffusing tension, but it also helps us maintain that flow of positive thinking. God wants us to laugh. Job 8:21 tells us that “He will yet fill your mouth with laughing, and your lips with rejoicing.” Joy is a fruit of the spirit, given to us as a gift. Hundreds of verses in the Bible promise God’s joy, which we express in singing, dancing, smiling, shouting and laughing. Laughter is a way of expressing our joy in the Lord.

Psalms 126: 2-3 reveals that laughter can also be a way to express confidence in God’s goodness: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing… the Lord has done great things for us, and we are glad.”

Healthy Humor

Research has confirmed a connection between laughter and both physical and emotional health. The International Society for Humor Studies exists to research and promote the benefits of humor. What have they and other researchers found? Plenty. Laughter has been shown to:

Relax the body, relieving muscle tension and physical stress.

Boost the immune system by decreasing stress hormones and increasing immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies.

Make us feel good by triggering the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals, which can even temporarily relieve pain.

Protect the heart by improving the function of blood vessels and increasing blood flow, which can help protect against cardiovascular problems including heart attacks.

Stimulate organs by enhancing the intake of oxygen-rich air, which stimulates the heart, lungs and muscles.1

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