Our Daily Bread: Light in a PandemicExemplo

From Wailing to Worship

You turned my wailing into dancing; you . . . clothed me with joy. -Psalm 30:11

Kim began battling breast cancer in 2013. Four days after her treatment ended, doctors diagnosed her with a progressive lung disease and gave her three to five years to live. She grieved, sobbing prayers as she processed her emotions before God for the first year. By the time I met Kim in 2015, she had surrendered her situation to Him and radiated contagious joy and peace. 

Though some days are still hard, God continues to transform her heart-wrenching suffering into a beautiful testimony of hope-filled praise as she encourages others. Even when we’re in dire circumstances, God can turn our wailing into dancing.

Though His healing won’t always look or feel like we’d hoped or expected, we can be confident in God’s ways (Psalm 30:1–3). No matter how tear-stained our path may be, we have countless reasons to praise Him (v. 4). We can rejoice in God, as He secures our confident faith (vv. 5–7). 

We can cry out for His mercy (vv. 8–10), celebrating the hope He’s brought to many weeping worshipers. 

Only God can transform wails of despair into vibrant joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances (vv. 11–12). As our merciful God comforts us in our sorrow, He envelops us in peace and empowers us to extend compassion toward others and ourselves. Our loving and faithful Lord can and does turn our wailing into worship that can lead to heart-deep trust, praise, and maybe even joyful dancing. 

Xochitl Dixon