When I start studying to write devotions, I print off the verse in many different translations to read, meditate on, and pray through. I had some definite emotions about this verse as I read it over and over and just didn’t feel that I was in a place to write about dancing and joy.  

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In the bustle of Christmas week, writing was put on hold. On Monday morning, December 29, 2025, my heart was crying and hurting. I sat down to spend time with God and to journal and process my emotions. I read Kimber’s ACF devo for that day, in which she encouraged us to ponder when during the year we had felt close to or distant from God. I wrote that I felt both close and distant to God at that moment. My head knew that He was near to me, but I was not feeling it in my sobbing heart, due to unanswered prayers. The emotions that I expressed to Him included fear, loss, and being stuck. I certainly was not dressed, nor dancing in joy!

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I listened and heard thoughts about being flexible in life to be ready for divine interruptions. I asked Him to give me peace in this hurt. He reminded me in Psalm 46:1-2 that He is my ever-present refuge and strength, so I do not need to be fearful in my hurt. I was starting to feel His presence in the swirling fear around me. Then, I read Psalm 56:4, “I trust in God. I praise his word. I trust in God. I am not afraid. What can mere people do to me?” My trust in God had been wavering since I was fearful, but it felt stirred up now and pointing me to focus more on Him and not the hurt and fear. As I ended my listening and journaling, my heart was less anxious, I felt His strength, and I felt closer to God, not more distant.

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Later that same day, I sat down to read today’s verse and pray again to write this. Suddenly, I realized I had had a firsthand experience of this verse earlier that day! God had divinely interrupted my crying and sadness to move me to stirring in joy! Although I was not dressed and dancing in abundant joy, I was dancing in hope and trust in Him! The hurt was not gone, but I had had a shift in my perspective, and I could move with joy and not sit in fear. God showed me His presence even in unanswered prayers. He is my strength and refuge in life and was using this hurt in my life to point me to the life I want – dressed and dancing in peace and joy!

I know God can turn your crying and sadness into dancing with joy, too. Consider listening to Him through spending time in prayer, worship, and community. Members of my community of believers prayed for me, and are still praying for me, in this hurt. The worship song “Praise You Anywhere” by Brandon Lake played in the background while I was writing. When I listened to the first line, “Sometimes you’ve gotta dance through the darkness,” I knew God was urging me to dance in this hurt and reminding me that my joy comes from Him! Remember, too, that an ACF devo prompted me to fully trust God in this hurt. Consistently clicking on the devo to experience them and then sharing them with others can dress many in joy.

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Most importantly, remember that God wants to help each of us. He can reveal parts of our lives that need to change, like my fear, so He can restore and heal them towards wholeness in our relationships and purpose. Look for needed changes in your life that will give you the life you want and, more importantly, what God wants for you. I hope you experience this verse in action and move from sadness to dancing with joy! Let’s start a dance revival in Eagle River!