Through the Valley—Move Your Life Forward in GodSample

Day 4: Tears in a Bottle

“You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy.” Psalm 30:11 NLT

There is a time for grieving, a time for weeping. The saying “buck up” and be strong doesn’t always apply. Sometimes you need to give in to the tears and weep.

Perhaps a loved one has passed, or you’ve suddenly realized that you’ve missed a moment that will never come your way again. You said no to a relationship, and you’re still alone years later. You’ve passed the age of childbearing with no child in your arms. You’re stuck with a regret that can never be righted as you lay a parent in the grave. The sorrow is threatening to overwhelm you.

God knows.

He keeps track of all your sorrows. The Bible says, “You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book” (Psalm 56:9 NLT). And it also says that he will turn your sorrow into joy, your mourning into dancing.

How is that possible? You know it will take a miracle—something only God can do.

The Israelites know what it’s like for the impossible to be made possible. Manna in the desert. Water from a rock. Divine provision in a dry and barren wilderness.

Numbers 21 describes the Israelites’ journey from Moab to Beer through the desert. The people despaired of life itself with no water in sight, nothing to quench their overwhelming thirst. God told Moses to gather the people together, and he would give them water. A well of refreshing. A miracle.

Their mourning was turned into joy. Their desperate situation was eased with God’s provision. There, the Israelites sang, “Spring up, O well! Yes, sing about it!” (Numbers 21:17 NIV).

God can do that for you. He can cause springs of life to bubble up in your soul. It begins by entrusting your deepest sorrow to the One who can work the miraculous. And then maybe, just maybe, the time for dancing will begin.

Pray: “God, I desperately need your touch and your help. I turn my sorrow over to you and ask for a miracle of joy.”

Seek: Is sadness overwhelming your soul? Open your heart and pour out your sorrow before the Lord. Then ask him to turn your sorrow into joy.

Speak: Spring up, O well of God! Spring up in me.

Have you enjoyed this 4-day devotional? This is an excerpt from the new devotional book, Through the Valley—Move Your Life Forward in God, available here. To continue your journey and for more inspirational resources, visit LauraWoodworth.com.