Laughter isn’t just something we do — it’s a gift from God. In this powerful, faith-filled talk, Douglas Vandergraph shares how humor heals the heart, strengthens the soul, and keeps your spirit young no matter your age. You can watch the talk here: Grow Old With Laughter – Douglas Vandergraph.
The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 17:22 — “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” Every laugh, every smile, every joyful moment is proof that God still reigns and joy still wins. Grow old with grace, grow wise with laughter, and never lose the joy that keeps your spirit alive.
The Gift of Laughter in a Life of Faith
From the earliest pages of Scripture to the everyday moments in our lives, laughter appears not as a frivolous add-on, but as a profound sign of God’s presence. The author of Ecclesiastes tells us there is “a time to weep and a time to laugh.” In Christian tradition theologians have observed that humor and joy are not opposed to seriousness of faith — rather, they are part of it. C.S. Lewis Institute+2Reformed Perspective+2
When we grow older, when our hair greys (if it’s grey!), our body creaks a little more, our pace slows — we can either embrace the journey with a cheerful heart or we can resign ourselves to a life of diminished spirit. God did not intend for our later years to be a time of resignation. He intended our later years to be full of wisdom, fruitfulness, and yes — laughter.
In his talk, Douglas Vandergraph invites us to see that the wrinkles on our face may tell stories of trials and triumphs, but they need not wipe out the sparkle in our eyes or the sound of laughter in our lips. Even as the body changes, the spirit can soar. Even as the world shifts, our joy in the Lord remains our strength.
Why Laughter Matters (Especially as We Age)
1. Humor Drives Out Fear
When we face the uncertainties of ageing — health challenges, loss of loved ones, changing roles in life — fear and anxiety can rise up. Yet, research into Christian spirituality reminds us that humor is an essential ingredient for healthy, balanced Christian living. Bayside Blog To laugh doesn’t mean to ignore pain; it means to live in the sure hope of God’s presence so deeply that our laughter becomes an act of faith.
2. Laughter Strengthens Community
When we laugh together — at the dinner table, around the living room, in the pews of a church — we create bonds. By sharing a smile, telling a light story, or remembering a humorous moment from years gone by, we build community. In our later years, community becomes ever more precious. A shared laugh reminds us: we are not alone, we are known, we are loved.
3. Joy is a Sign of God’s Abundant Life
In his writing about the Christian life, one scholar observes that “laughter descends like rain upon a parched heart.” C.S. Lewis Institute The Christian journey is not simply a walk of routine duty; it is a dance of joy, a song of hope. To age gracefully means to allow the joy of Christ to bubble up — even, especially — when the world might expect us to slow, shrink back, settle for less.
4. Laughter Keeps the Spirit Young
There is an inner spring in us — a sense of wonder, of delight — that isn’t bound by years. When we laugh, we momentarily defy the weight of age. We remind ourselves that we’re still alive, still vibrant, still connected to the One who holds time in His hands. Douglas uses vivid illustrations in his talk to show how a sense of humor can keep the heart young even while the body grows older.
Embracing Grace, Not Resignation
Growing older in faith is not about giving up. It’s not about retreating into silence or irrelevance. It’s about embracing a new season — a season of reflection, of legacy, of joy. Humor plays a vital role in that.
Think of the apostle Paul, writing from a prison cell, still rejoicing, still leaping in the Spirit. Think of the older saint who, while remembering past storms, can still smile because she knows who holds the future. Age brings perspective; but it should not steal the capacity to laugh.
There’s something deeply spiritual about being able to look back on a life of years and say, “Yes — I have grown. Yes — I have learned. And yes — I still can laugh.” Laughter is an affirmation that the story is not over; that hope remains; that God still has more for us.
Laughter as Resistance Against the Dark
For many, growing older means witnessing more pain — personal losses, societal shifts, physical limits. And it’s easy to slip into bitterness or cynicism. But laughter is a form of resistance. It says: “I refuse to let sorrow have the final word.” It whispers: “God is still at work. Joy is still possible. My soul still rises.”
In faith-filled reflection, one writer notes that “laughter is something you shouldn’t force. … this is the joy of Christ.” Reformed Perspective When we laugh, we testify that the darkness isn’t ultimate. We testify that the God who created laughter is on our side.
How to Cultivate a Humorous Heart (Especially as You Age)
Here are some practical ways to invite laughter and joy into your later years of faith:
- Remember and laugh at your past: Pull out old stories. Misspent youth, plucky mistakes, funny family moments — these memories connect you to your journey and to others. Laughter about the past doesn’t diminish respect or growth; it honors the path.
- Stay with people who laugh: Community matters. Find (or keep) friends whose laughter is genuine, whose joy is contagious, whose faith is anchored but whose humour is alive.
- Engage in playful activity: Even small things — a silly game, a friendly prank, a light-hearted joke — help. Age doesn’t mean you stop playing; it means you play differently.
- Laugh at yourself (in humility): As one reflection puts it: “Laughing at oneself is an expression of humility and perspective.” my52wow.com Let go of the pretense of perfection. Permit yourself to wobble, to stumble, to smile at your quirks.
- Celebrate small wins: Maybe recovery from surgery, maybe a meaningful conversation, maybe a quiet sunrise. These matter. Let them feed your joy. Let your indoor voice say “I’m grateful” and your outward response be a smile or laugh.
- Anchor your laughter in God: Humor doesn’t replace reverence. It complements it. Remember that laughter itself can be a gift of God — created before the fall, we’re told, even if philosophers argued otherwise. C.S. Lewis Institute+1 When you laugh, you reflect a creation-made-good.
Why This Message Matters for You, Right Now
As you read these words, you may be at any stage of life. Maybe you’re behind the thirty, maybe you’re in your golden years, maybe you’re somewhere in between. But the message is universal: Aging doesn’t have to mean losing your joy. It can mean deepening it.
For those in their later seasons:
- You carry treasures of wisdom. Pairing that with laughter means you not only teach, you delight.
- You might face limitations. Laughter reminds you that your worth doesn’t rest in what you used to do but in who you are in Christ.
- You have legacy. And a legacy that laughs is a legacy that breathes hope into younger generations.
For those still early in life:
- Learn from those who laugh well. Observe how they carry faith, not only with firmness but with lightness.
- Accept that life will bring seriousness and pain. Let laughter be your companion, not your absence.
- Build a rhythm of joy now — so that when age comes, you’ve already practiced living with laughter.
Bringing the Message to the World
The talk by Douglas Vandergraph invites you to go deeper — to allow laughter to shape your faith and your daily walk. As you reflect on life, aging, purpose and the unseen hand of God, this message calls you to laugh, to live, to love, and to testify.
Whether you share this with your small-group, your church, a family gathering or a social post — the message travels: We can grow old with a sense of humor. We can grow old with joy. Because we serve a God who rejoices over us, who delights in our laughter, and who uses things as simple as a smile or chuckle to show His presence in our lives.
A Spiritual Invitation for Today
Take a moment today. Breathe deeply. Let the muscles in your face soften. Allow a memory of laughter to rise. Maybe it was a belly-laugh. Maybe a soft giggle. Whatever it was, let it come back. And then whisper a prayer: “Thank you, Lord, for the gift of laughter. For the joy you give. For the age I am in, and the story I yet can live.”
As you move forward, let your laughter be honest, let it be humble, let it be rooted in the One who gave you life and gave you joy. Let your aging be graceful and wise — and let your spirit stay young.
Because when we embrace laughter, we embrace life. We embrace hope. We embrace the God who makes all things new.
May your days ahead be filled with smiles, with shared laughter, with stories that warm your heart and the hearts of those around you. May you grow in faith, grow in grace, and grow in joy — so that when you look in the mirror, you see not just years, but years well lived; not just age, but abundant life; not just wrinkles, but stories of the God who still reigns.
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