The older I get, and the longer I serve as a Church leader, the more I have to fight against becoming cynical. I have the opportunity to see the best in people as they live for Jesus, but I also get to see people at their worst as sin takes over. It is easy for me to believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest, and I become hardened by hearing every sob story.

Cynicism often creeps in as we get older. Life’s disappointments, broken promises, unmet expectations, and repeated struggles can tempt us to harden our hearts. A hardened heart feels like a shield, but it distances us from God’s love and the joy of His creation. As followers of Christ, we are called to guard against bitterness and keep a spirit that reflects God’s hope.

There are numerous ways to push back against this type of thinking. Do a Google search or type the question into an AI tool, and you’ll find all kinds of practical steps to help you combat the hardening of your heart. They will tell you to focus on scripture or draw near to Jesus through the spiritual disciplines. Living in community with positive people and doing self-care will help to keep your heart soft.

My suggestion was not something I found on any list during my search. I think you need to learn to laugh and laugh a lot. My favorite preacher, Fred Craddock, used to say that laughter was the best sign of God’s grace. It shows us that we do not take ourselves too seriously and that we can let go of the burdens that weigh us down.

Personally, I look at memes, watch funny reels, listen to clean comedians and their podcasts. I read things that make me smile and bring me joy. I try to spend time with people who enjoy laughing and can find humor even in the darkest of times. I think that if you take a few hours and belly laugh at the craziness of this world, it is hard to then become angry and jaded at the junk you experience from a handful of people who are driven by their selfish desires.

A few times in my life, I have laughed at what some might call an inappropriate moment. That is only because I felt the walls of my heart growing cold, and I needed to crack the shell forming around it before it became permanent.