The Ministry Woman UK

If You Don’t Laugh, You Will Cry

Last week, I travelled from London to Manchester for a quick work-related assignment.

You know that kind of trip where you pack your bag, leave mummy duties and wifey duties behind for a small moment, and tell yourself, “Mercy, breathe small. Today, nobody is asking you where their this or that is.”

That was me.

We all arrived at the hotel, settled in, and by the next morning, the big day had come. The reason we travelled from far and near was finally here. I had come to Manchester to do what I enjoy doing most, and I was ready.

We found our way to the venue, the DLA Piper office.

Ah. My people.

This was not the kind of building where you just stroll in like you are entering your neighbour’s kitchen. No. Security was tight. The kind of security that will make you remember every sin you have ever committed, even the ones from primary school.

We were cleared, checked, scanned, and finally allowed into the building.

Then we entered the lift, heading to the 9th floor.

Inside that lift, someone started a conversation. Before you knew it, everybody joined in. Comments were flying. Laughter was rising. The atmosphere was sweet.

It was one of those rare girlie moments I always enjoy when I travel out of town. No school runs. No cooking timetable in my head. No “Mummy, where is my…” No “Babe, have you seen my…”

Just me, my colleagues, and laughter inside a lift going up.

And I said to myself, “Mercy, capture this moment. Because when life gives you joy, don’t behave like you don’t need it.”

So I reached for my phone and handed it to Nicole, one of the precious souls in the lift with us.

I said, “Nicole, please help me capture this exciting moment. I have every right and responsibility in this universe to laugh today. Because if I don’t laugh, I may cry. And today, I choose laughter.”

Nicole smiled and said, “Of course, Mercy. Who can stop you when you have chosen it?”

And immediately, something clicked in my spirit.

Acts 8:36 came alive in my heart.

The Ethiopian eu**ch said, “See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?”

In that moment, the Lord began to open that scripture to me in a way I had never seen before.

The man saw water.

He saw opportunity.

He saw the moment.

And he asked one powerful question: “What is stopping me?”

That question stayed with me.

What is stopping me from laughing?

What is stopping me from choosing joy?

What is stopping me from holding on to Christ when life is squeezing me from every corner?

Because let’s be honest, life is not always soft. Sometimes life will look at you and say, “Madam, today we are testing your faith.”

Bills will come.

Responsibilities will come.

Pressure will come.

People will disappoint you.

Plans will fail.

You may smile in public and cry in the bathroom.

You may encourage others while your own heart is tired.

That is the stark reality of life.

But this is also the truth: as a true believer in Christ Jesus, your joy is not at the mercy of your situation.

Your joy is rooted in Someone deeper.

Christ does not promise us a life without storms. He promises us peace inside the storm. He does not always remove the fire, but He stands with us inside it.

So yes, life may give you reasons to cry.

And sometimes, crying is not weakness. Even Jesus wept.

But after the tears, we must still remember who we belong to.

We belong to Christ.

We belong to the One who conquered death.

We belong to the One who turns mourning into dancing.

We belong to the One who gives beauty for ashes.

That day in the lift, I was reminded that joy is a choice. Laughter is not denial. It is faith breathing in the middle of pressure.

It is saying, “I see what is happening, but I also know my Redeemer lives.”

It is saying, “This life is not easy, but my God is still good.”

It is saying, “I may not control everything around me, but I can choose who I trust.”

Life will always present two options.

Faith or fear.

Joy or sorrow.

Hope or despair.

Heaven or earth.

Christ or the world.

Laughter or tears.

And sometimes, my sister, my brother, if you don’t laugh, you will cry.

So today, I ask you the same question that rose in my heart inside that Manchester lift:

What is stopping you?

What is stopping you from choosing joy?

What is stopping you from trusting Christ fully?

What is stopping you from laughing again?

No reason is strong enough to take away your choice unless you give it permission.

So, will you laugh or cry?

As for me, I have chosen laughter.

Not because life is perfect.

But because Christ is enough.

Thanks for Reading

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