Laugh or Cry? The Choice That Changes Everything

If you only had two options when facing a difficult situation, to cry or to laugh, which one would you choose?

Think about it.

If a medical report came with bad news, what would you choose?

If lack knocked at your door?

If unemployment showed up without warning?

In all these moments, crying seems like the natural thing to do. That’s what the soul wants, to scream, to be comforted, to surrender to the feelings of the natural world. But when we begin to renew our minds with the Word of God, something changes. Our vision changes. The spiritual realm becomes more real than the natural one, and we begin to react differently.

Have you noticed how our minds naturally think negatively first? When someone messages you saying, “I need to talk to you urgently,” most of the time we think, “Oh no, what did I do?” It’s almost automatic. But that’s because we’ve gotten used to living by what we see, not by what is spiritual.

The Word says in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” When we let the Word shape how we think, we begin to see life through God’s eyes.

And when we start to see as He sees, we begin to react as He reacts. A renewed mind doesn’t despair when circumstances come, because it has learned to look beyond the natural. We begin to think, speak, and act the same way He does, because that’s exactly what happens when our minds are no longer conformed to this world.

And do you know what God does in the face of His enemies? He laughs. It’s written in Psalm 2:4: “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall hold them in derision.”

If He laughs, and we are one with Him. As 1 Corinthians 6:17 says: “But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him”, then what should our reaction be?

To laugh as well.

To laugh with God.

To laugh in the face of what seems impossible, to laugh at the situations that try to steal our peace.

Not because we’re pretending nothing is happening, but because we know in whom we have believed.

In Psalm 126:2 it says: “Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, ‘The Lord has done great things for them.’” When you choose to laugh, you show your face, the people around you, and even hell itself who’s really in control. You’re saying, “It’s not the situation that defines my mood, it’s my faith that defines my reaction.”

Paul understood this well. Even while in prison, he wrote about joy. He said in Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” And he went on in Philippians 4:11–12: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”

Paul didn’t let circumstances decide how he would feel. He mastered his situations, showing who was truly in charge.

And here’s a tip:

Lack shows up? You respond, “Father, I know that You are my good Shepherd, and I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1). Then you start laughing right in the face of that circumstance.

A negative report comes? You respond, “By His stripes I was healed” (Isaiah 53:5). And you start laughing at that report, because you know you’re already healed.

Anxiety tries to take over? You respond, “I will not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, I will present my requests to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart” (Philippians 4:6–7). And you start laughing when anxiety tries to come back.

The key is knowing who you are, understanding your identity in Christ and standing firm in what God says already belongs to you. It’s about joining God in laughter, mocking the adversary, because you know the victory is already won.

Life will keep bringing challenges, but don’t let them dictate how your day will go. Don’t live like an emotional roller coaster. Be firm, steady, like train tracks that stay on course no matter what.

Circumstances will come, but you can rise up with the laughter that strengthens you. God is laughing, and you, who are one with Him, can laugh too.

So let me ask you:

What will your choice be? To cry or to laugh?

Here’s a hint: CHOOSE TO LAUGH.

Do it right now with me: HA HA HA!

Do it again: HA HA HA!

Now show it to your face: HA HA HA!