Daily InsPirational MOments with Rev. Dr. Precious Prothro
May 17, 2026
Joy in the Middle
Lyric is at an age and stage of life that includes really big emotions. Sometimes the smallest thing (to me) can send her into a major meltdown. To help redirect her, I’ll occasionally say or do something I know will make her smile.
As I reflected on that, though, I realized something important. I never want to teach her that laughter should silence sadness or that joy means we ignore hard emotions. Acknowledging our feelings matters. Hurt, disappointment, frustration, overwhelm—all of those emotions are real and should be handled with care.
Still, I do want Lyric, Langston, and even myself to learn how to find joy in the middle of life.
Last night at our banquet, we experienced that kind of joy. This season has not been easy for us, but for a moment, we laughed together, enjoyed one another, and embraced the blessing that God allowed us to be together.
Nehemiah 8:10 reminds us, “…for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Life can hit hard, and many times we are not prepared for it. Just like children, adults do not always know how to properly process stress, disappointment, grief, anger, or overwhelm. But even in difficult seasons, we should work to find the kind of joy that carries us through.
Sometimes joy looks like laughter. Sometimes it looks like gratitude. Sometimes it is simply recognizing that God is still present in the middle of hard things.
Proverbs 17:22 says, “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
May we learn to honor our emotions without living consumed by them, and may we hold tightly to the joy that strengthens and heals us.
Lord, help us to handle our emotions with wisdom and grace. Teach us not to ignore pain, but also not to lose sight of the joy You provide. Strengthen our hearts, heal our spirits, and help us find moments of gratitude and laughter even in difficult seasons. Amen.