Zippy or Somber?

Some people say I’m too serious; others say I’m not serious enough. Is there a “Goldilocks” amount of light-heartedness and laughter, a “just right” dose? I wasn’t sure, so I did some research. What do scientists say? Their research tells us that humor breaks negative thought cycles and releases feelings of anxiety, sadness, and fear. Laughter also cleanses the body of stress hormones, so laughter is good for us emotionally and physically.
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Kent Kimball

However, I can’t imagine great artists, inventors, and statesmen were anything but serious when hard at work, and so much good has come about because of their dutiful, creative, and serious work. So there’s a case to be made for each: be more serious, or laugh more. As a follower of Jesus I’m torn. Then again, like the hymn says, he accepts me, “Just as I am.”
 
After church recently someone asked me if I was the new choir director. She had a request: would the choir please do music that was more upbeat, zippy, and fun. . . like Gospel music. I found myself wondering if she meant instead of serious and slow, more contemplative music? That brought up the question, what does scripture say about light-heartedness and laughter?
 
Ecclesiastes says, “There is a time to weep, and a time to laugh,” which clearly tells me there is a time for zippy music and a time for somber music. Whenever appropriate, I’ll always choose to lighten-up and laugh. After all, Proverbs 17:22 says, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

​In His Name, Kent