Finding God in the Laughter: Comedian Ms. Pat Shares Powerful Lessons About Faith and Joy
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It’s been said that laughter is the best medicine, which is true. There are multiple studies that emphasize the impact of laughter and the benefits that it provides for the body.
Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with comedian Mrs. Pat (Patricia Williams-Lee), known to many from her work on the "Mrs. Pat Show." Although the show is comedic in form, it portrays parts of Mrs. Pat’s actual life.
During our conversation, I was amazed that it started off with laughter for the first two minutes. What I love about laughter is that everyone can do it. Laughter has a way of involving everyone and bringing everyone in.
Mrs. Pat has released a new book titled "Ms. American Dream." Throughout the book, Mrs. Pat draws her audience in with laughter, even as she describes the hardships she endured growing up in the rough areas of Atlanta, where she’s from and still lives. There were moments in the book, to be honest with you, that I found difficult while at the same time laughing through them.
Laughter has a way of helping us laugh through even life's struggles. Mrs. Pat doesn’t describe herself as religious but as someone who has a relationship with God. During our time together in prayer, after our laughing episode, I noticed how laughter can even make our attitude toward God sweeter.
Also, laughter tends to help remove and lessen the stress and worries of life, so that when we do approach the throne of God, we come with a heart at ease, along with confidence, knowing that God is going to do what he says he’s going to do. Proverbs 17:22 describes that a merry heart is good for the body and soul.
Talk to anyone who knows me, and they will tell you that I love to laugh, and I mean really laugh. Throughout my struggles and hard times in life, laughter has guided me. During my time with Mrs. Pat, she shared that an unknown Atlanta bus driver in her childhood would offer her free rides, talk with her, and make sure she stayed out of trouble.
Throughout, I was struck by the moments of laughter that came up, even though we were talking about challenging times in Mrs. Pat’s life. I believe that God knew, when he formed us, that we would have troubles, just as the scriptures foretell, which is why I believe God gives us the joy of laughter.
A good laugh can brighten up an entire situation. Laughter also allows us to serve others well. Mrs. recently described how she decided to adopt two of her family members who were going through extreme challenges of life.
The Bible describes being a cheerful giver in Second Corinthians 9:7; the passage is clear that God loves a cheerful giver, which means that when we give, we should bring our laughter with us. Mrs. Pat spoke of how, when she and her husband decided to open their home, God provided. I believe that when we have a cheerful heart in giving, it pleases God; in fact, Scripture is clear that it does. Laughter brings a fresh aroma like flowers bring a fresh smell to a mildew room.
Although Mrs. Pat and I live out our callings differently when it comes to our careers, I was convinced that no matter what calling one might find themselves in, we can rest assured that God has placed a laughter box in all of us that he wants us to use, and not only use it to spread to others in a time and season when people need laughter more than ever.
Photo Credit: ©Robin L Marshall/Getty Images for BET Media Group
Originally published October 22, 2026.
