Venezuela, Cuba, Providence & Laughter Amid Our Trials

The New York Times article, “What’s So Funny About a Dictator? - Venezuela’s Comedians-in-Exile Have Ideas”, brought back memories of how humor has a unique way of offering relief, even in the most challenging of times. It reminded me of a particular joke carefully whispered to me behind closed doors, by a dear pastor and friend during my visits to Cuba under Fidel Castro’s rule:

 

“Fidel, overwhelmed by fear that the shortages of food, electricity, and uncontrollable inflation had driven the people of Cuba to abandon him and the revolution, visited his mother’s grave for counsel. In tears, he asked, ‘Mother… I must know… are the people still with me?’ From beyond the grave came her familiar, ghostly voice: ‘My son, yes, the people are still with you to this day!’ Relieved, Fidel turned to leave, but then the haunting voice continued, ‘…but tomorrow, they will be with me!’”

 

There’s something profound about humor. It has a way of soothing the soul, even for those who have been battered by the trials of life. I saw this repeatedly in Cuba, and from what the NYT article highlights, Venezuelan comedians in exile are using laughter to cope with their suffering in a similar way.

 

Last year, my wife Claudia was hospitalized with heart failure due to a “thyroid storm.” It was a terrifying time for us, as we struggled to understand what was happening to her. Her heart rate was skyrocketing, her blood pressure dropped, and her strength was rapidly fading. We found ourselves grappling with the possibility of a future vastly different from what we had expected. By God’s mercy, since then, we’ve learned more about Grave’s disease and seen her health improve. But those early days, filled with tests, IVs, prayers, and uncertainty, were overwhelming.

 

Yet, in the middle of all that uncertainty, we found glimpses of humor—a small but powerful comfort. Some might call it “dark humor,” but for us, finding moments of laughter in the midst of such fear was a gift from God. It helped lighten the burden, even for just a moment.

 

A post I shared from the hospital:

 

 

 

The idea of finding joy during trials isn’t foreign to scripture. James writes:

 

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” (James 1:2-4, ESV)

 

The joy that James speaks of comes from knowing that in God’s divine providence he not only walks us through our hardships, but has designed them to shape us, making us more and more like Christ in the process. This is not a fleeting happiness but a deep, foundational joy rooted in God’s sovereignty. Even in our suffering, we can trust that there’s a divine purpose at work, an eternal perspective that gives meaning to every trial we face.

 

Sometimes, however, the weight of suffering is so immense that it’s hard to see how it could come from the hand of a loving Father. King David wrestled with this, crying out:

 

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest…” (Psalm 22:1-2, ESV)

 

But those words are quoted elsewhere in scripture, on the most horrifying yet incontestably victorious day in all of creation.  They flowed from Christ’s lips even as the blood flowed from his hands and feet.  And though Psalm 22 winds in and out of pain, despair, and death, it solidly comes to rest in victorious worship and praise for the God who is over all things…

 

“You who fear the LORD, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

For he has not despised or abhorred

the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard, when he cried to him.” (Psalm 22:23-24, ESV)

 

This brings me back to the Venezuelan comedians. Their ability to use humor as a tool for survival, even while facing incredible suffering is a testimony to God’s common grace. Just as the sun shines on all people, or water and wine quench thirst and gladden hearts (Psalm 104), God grants laughter, friendship, and moments of light to sustain us in dark times, testifying to a good and gracious creator.

 

Those who understand and trust in His sovereignty have all the more reasons to sing praise even in their trials, as seen in the prophet Jeremiah’s words:

 

“For the LORD has ransomed Jacob

and has redeemed him from hands too strong for him.

They shall come and sing aloud on the height of Zion,

and they shall be radiant over the goodness of the LORD,

over the grain, the wine, and the oil,

and over the young of the flock and the herd;

their life shall be like a watered garden,

and they shall languish no more.” (Jeremiah 31:11-12, ESV)

 

In both laughter and tears, we can rest in the knowledge that God is with us, working through every moment for our good and His glory.