Humor and Shared Jokes

January 4, 2026 - What Makes a Friend: Humor and Shared Jokes

Share highs, lows and God moments

2. What’s a time when shared laughter helped you feel closer to someone?
   How did that moment change your relationship?
3. Do you have an inside joke with a friend or family member?
   What makes it special, and why do you think inside jokes create such strong bonds?

“Laughter is the closest distance between two people.”  

~ Victor Borge

Throw me that [random object] and aim for my eye.

~ Tari, probably

Before we had words, we had laughter—a seemingly simple expression of complex emotions. We laugh to show pleasure or delight. We may laugh to ease tension or because we’re nervous. And sometimes, you just have to laugh to keep from crying. When humor and laughter are shared, it creates a social glue.

Why does laughing together matter so much?

When we laugh with someone, our brains release endorphins—the natural “feel-good” chemicals. That rush creates a sense of warmth, safety and emotional closeness. Research backs this up. A 2016 study from UNC Chapel Hill found that shared laughter can signal a shared perspective and momentarily boost a sense of connection. It helps explain why often repeated inside jokes can help strengthen relationships.

Laughter even benefits us physically. Dr. Gulshan Sethi calls it “internal jogging”—toning abs, boosting oxygen and reducing stress hormones. Remember those endorphins? They’re also responsible for the “runner’s high”. Sharing a joke and a laugh with a friend seems like more fun than hoofing a 5K!

Shared humor also says something deeper.

Even Jimi Hendrix has his guitar!!

Inside jokes are a little like a secret handshake, signaling trust and intimacy. They remind us of shared experiences, fond memories and create a sense of belonging. Of course, even close friends may not laugh at the same things. For example, I don’t really get the movie Young Frankenstein. You may not think Raising Arizona is hilarious. (You’re just wrong—but I still love you.) Sometimes those differences can help us see the world from another angle.

Why laughter matters in friendship.

• Shared laughter creates joy and makes time together fun and memorable;
• Builds bonds, deepening connection and creating shared stories;
• Reduces stress and makes friendships feel safe;
• Encourages openness, breaking down walls and making communication easier;
• Promotes positivity, helping us focus on the good and appreciate each other.

As we travel together, let’s lean into laughter. Share those inside jokes. Create new ones. Let humor remind us that friendship isn’t just about being together—it’s about seeing the world through a shared joyful lens, even if just for a moment.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, 

Thank you for the gift of friendship, for the laughter that lightens our burdens and the connection that fills our lives with joy and strength. We pray for our friends, that we may find comfort, understanding, grace and giggles with them. Bless these bonds, Lord—old and new—that they may bring Your peace and presence into every moment. 

Amen