By: Heather Cook
“Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.” - Psalm 30:5
“How do we hold onto hope and joy when the season of celebration is clouded by sorrow?”
About the Scripture
Psalm 30:5 speaks directly to those moments of darkness and despair, offering hope that joy will come, even if we can’t see it right now. This verse doesn’t deny the reality of our sorrow; instead, it validates it, acknowledging that nights of weeping are a real part of our journey. Yet, God promises us something beyond the night—something waiting in the morning. This joy isn’t based on fleeting circumstances but on His faithful presence with us. In the stillness of the night, we may feel isolated and weary, but as dawn breaks, God’s promise of joy is renewed. It may seem light night in our circumstances but God’s joy comes when we see the light.
My Story
Two Thanksgivings ago, our family’s holiday was unlike any we’d ever known or could even imagine. Sadie, our beautiful newborn, was in the NICU, her tiny body surrounded by machines and monitors. Our hearts ached watching her lie there, so small and fragile. While others gathered around tables, laughing and sharing meals, we stood at her side, praying through the rhythmic beeps, wondering if our lives would ever feel “normal” again. My husband and I took shifts at the hospital while we had 2 kids at home. We spent Thanksgiving dinner together as a family, minus one. While at dinner, we found ourselves ministering the heartache of the rest of our family as they processed the absence of the little one we were all so anxious to see at the gathering.
Every holiday decoration, every cheerful song playing in the hallways, seemed to amplify the emptiness and grief. Well-meaning family members voicing how much they missed Sadie and wished she could be home, only deepened the ache in my heart. I remember feeling caught in a swirl of emotions: the pain of seeing her suffer, the pressure to hold it together for others, and a relentless longing for things to be different. Yet, in the quiet space, I sensed God’s presence—soft but steady. A whisper in my heart reminded me that even in this, I wasn’t alone.
Reflection
In the NICU with Sadie, I learned that joy didn’t come from the resolution of our pain or answers to our questions. Instead, joy looked like leaning into God’s strength when my own was failing. It was knowing He saw my tears and sat with me in that lonely place. God was my refuge when I felt overwhelmed, a quiet strength when I could barely keep going. This is the joy He promises—a joy that steadies us and gives us grace to face the unknown.
During this season, finding joy means acknowledging our pain and letting God meet us in it. Psalm 30:5 reminds us that God doesn’t rush our grief or minimize it. He allows us space to mourn and brings us His joy gently, like morning light breaking after a long night. For anyone facing the heartache of a child’s illness, a loss, or an empty seat at the holiday table, this verse reassures us that joy isn’t out of reach; it’s simply on the other side of the night.
Walking through Sadie’s hospital stay was one of the hardest seasons we’d faced, but God was with us in every midnight tear, every whispered prayer, and every quiet hour by her side. He became our refuge, our unshakable source of strength, reminding us that joy would come—not by erasing the pain but by filling it with His presence.
Invitation
If you’re navigating a season of grief or hardship this holiday, here are a few ways to anchor yourself in God’s joy:
Lean Into God’s Presence – Spend moments in quiet prayer, letting Him hold your grief. Sometimes, just sitting with Him and expressing your heart can bring peace and comfort. If you need to yell, scream, or cry, that’s ok, too. God can handle all stages of our grief.
Remember His Promises – Psalm 30:5 and other verses remind us that our pain is temporary and that God promises joy, even if it takes time to arrive. Reflecting on these promises can uplift your heart.
Find Small Moments of Gratitude – Even in sorrow, gratitude can be a gentle guide toward joy. Thank God for the small blessings, the glimmers of hope, or the people supporting you in this season.
Give Yourself Grace – This season may not look like the holiday celebrations you envisioned, and that’s okay. Allow yourself the freedom to feel, to grieve, and to rest in God’s care.
Prayer
Father, We come to You with hearts that ache, feeling the weight of grief and loss in a season meant for joy. We trust in Your promise that joy comes with the morning, even if our night feels long. Be our strength when we cannot move forward, our refuge when we feel overwhelmed. Comfort us with Your presence, and fill us with a peace that only You can give. Remind us each day that You are with us, carrying us through every sorrow. We place our hope in You, Father, knowing that Your joy will meet us, even here. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Heather Cook lives in Arizona with her husband and three daughters. As the Women’s Pastor at her church, she is passionate about encouraging others, a calling she has embraced through writing. She currently writes for her blog, Live Beautiful Ministries and contributes to several other blogs. She has recently signed a book deal, with her first release scheduled for 2026.
She has a special place in her heart for Praying Through Ministries. When her youngest daughter was in the NICU, she had a supportive community, but none who truly understood the season her family was in. After she graduated from the NICU, Heather discovered Praying Through and felt God’s call to serve. Volunteering with this ministry has been a blessing.
You can connect with her on social media @HeyHeatherCook or read more at LiveBeautifulMinistries.com.
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