From Crying To Dancing

From Crying To Dancing

Bible: Psalm 30

You turned my wailing into dancing; you … clothed me with joy (V.11).

Reading

Kim began battling cancer a few years ago. Four days after her treatment ended, doctors diagnosed her with pulmonary fibrosis, a horrible lung disease and rare side effect from chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors gave her five years to live—max. She was stunned, sobbing prayers and pleas to God for the first year. By the time I met Kim two years later, she filled the room with joy and peace. Though some days are still hard, God continues to transform her heart-wrenching suffering into a witness of hope-filled praise that encourages others.

Even when we’re in awful circumstances, God can turn our crying into dancing. Though His healing won’t always look or feel like we’d hoped or expected, we can be confident in God’s power (PSALM 30:1-3). No matter how tear-stained our path may be, we have countless reasons to praise Him (V.4). We can thank God as He walks with us and keeps us going (VV.5-7). We can cry out for His mercy (VV.8-10) and celebrate the hope He’s brought to many confused Christians over the centuries. Only God can transform cries of despair into joy that doesn’t depend on how well we’re doing (VV.11-12).

As our God comforts us in our pain, He covers us in peace and gives us what we need to show kindness to others. Our loving and faithful God can and does turn our crying into deep trust, praise and maybe even joyful dancing.

JOY DOESN’T ALWAYS MEAN OUR PAIN HAS GONE AWAY. BUT IT SHOWS WE KNOW GOD IS ALWAYS HOLDING US.

Youth Edition – Our Daily Bread Ministries