Finding Joy in Hard Times: Childlike Laughter and Faith That Change Everything
How many of us have ever walked through a season that knocked the breath out of us? Maybe you find yourself right in the thick of it. Let me tell you, finding joy in hard times might sound impossible. But I want to share something that changed the way I see suffering and hope, finding purpose in suffering.
In our recent podcast episode, I sat down with my daughter Hadessa. She has faced more challenges this year than anyone should at her age, Finding Faith After Loss. Yet—even in pain, pokes, and scary hospital moments—our family found joy in the most unexpected places. And it started with the contagious gift God gives to children: laughter and joy, even when nothing else makes sense.
What Does Finding Joy in Hard Times Look Like?
We talk about finding joy in hard times but what does that really mean? Is it pretending everything is fine? Smiling when you feel like crumbling? I used to wonder things like that. But when life gets hard, joy looks more like choosing what to focus on than forcing yourself to be happy, a perspective echoed in Finding God in Hard Times.
For us, finding joy in hard times looked like laughing at silly jokes in hospital rooms. It meant coloring pictures, hugging family, and naming the good things right in front of us—like a good popsicle or a warm blanket. It looked like clinging to each small moment of light in an otherwise heavy day, Gratitude Practices for Healing.
Seeing Through the Eyes of a Child
Let me tell you, watching my daughter bring a joke to every doctor and nurse, even when she was scared, changed me. She would ask, "What did the Dalmatian say after lunch? That hit the spot!" Even in pain, laughter gave us room to breathe again. That’s what childlike faith does, building Christian community during adversity. It makes room for joy, no matter what the situation looks like, a truth echoed in biblical lessons on suffering.
Choosing Joy, Even When It Feels Impossible
Finding joy in hard times is not pretending pain away. It's remembering what is still good. Our family prayed every day, daily habits during illness. We counted small wins, a practice of gratitude that aligns with gratitude practices for healing. I would ask Hadessa, ''What are you thankful for today?'' Some days it was a visit from Nana, finding hope after loss. Some days it was just getting to sleep through the night. Every small thing was a gift and an act of resistance against despair, finding blessings in hard times.
Why Childlike Laughter and Joy Matter in Difficult Seasons
Does this sound familiar? You hit a wall, and the heaviness feels like too much. Can I be honest? In those moments I am tempted to give up on joy. But here’s what I learned from watching my daughter: joy is a muscle. The more we use it, the stronger it gets—even when life gives us reasons to forget about it.
Laughter Is a Lifeline
The hospital rooms were cold. The answers came slow. But laughter connected us. I saw firsthand that laughter isn’t an escape. It’s an anchor. When we told jokes or played games, our bodies relaxed and our hearts felt covered—even for a minute. Laughter brought God’s presence near in a way that logic and reason couldn’t.
- It interrupted worry
- It invited connection
- It made hard places feel lighter
Faith Like a Child Isn’t Naive
Some might think childlike joy is denial or naivety. But I saw something else. It’s a radical choice. In the middle of real pain, a child’s willingness to laugh, play, and talk to God was a reminder that faith is simple. It’s not blind—it’s bold. Our kids see what’s true: that God is near, that beauty and kindness matter, and that hope is worth holding onto, especially when everything is uncertain.
Finding Joy in Hard Times: Practical Ways to Experience It
If you’ve ever wondered how to find joy in hard times, let me share what helped us. These are not magic formulas. Think of them as invitations to notice God’s goodness, even when life hurts.
1. Make Room for Laughter
We had dad jokes in every hospital room. We watched funny animal videos. Even a quick silly story before a hard procedure changed the tone for everyone. Laughter is medicine. Proverbs 17:22 reminds us, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones." (CSB)
2. Look for Small Joys
We had days when the only thing we could be thankful for was the good chicken fingers at lunch. That’s not silly. It trained us to keep our eyes open for the daily bread God was still providing—sometimes in the form of a popsicle, sometimes in a nurse’s kindness. Finding joy in hard times doesn’t always look big or spiritual. Start small.
3. Let Others In
Hospital stays are lonely. But when family visited or friends sent messages, Hadessa’s whole face would light up. Joy is multiplied in community. If you’re struggling, don’t go it alone. Accept help, open your heart, and let someone encourage you.
4. Pray Honestly
I prayed every day. Some days, my prayers were full of faith. Some days, tears were all I could offer. That’s still prayer. Hadessa would whisper prayers when she was scared or hurting—that simple trust that God listens, even to the smallest voices, lifted us up. Finding joy in hard times starts with honesty before God.
5. Remember What Matters
Looking back, the things we remember most are not the diagnoses or the counts or the bills. We remember the hope, the laughter, and the way we saw God show up in kindness—over and over. When our priority shifted from fixing everything to seeing what God was doing, joy had more room in our story.
How Faith Shapes Our Perspective on Hard Seasons
I used to believe that joy was something you felt when life was good. Now, I believe it is a promise God offers in every circumstance—even when it’s hard. Finding joy in hard times isn’t about ignoring problems. It’s about trusting that God walks with us through the valleys and uses small, simple things to remind us that He hasn’t forgotten us.
God Is With Us
I saw with my own eyes that when we make space for laughter and childlike wonder, God meets us there. There is something about faith in a child’s heart that draws us back to the truth that Jesus offered: "Let the little children come to me" (Matthew 19:14 CSB, paraphrased). Joy, even when things are messy, is not out of reach—it’s right in the middle of our hardest days.
What If Joy Feels Out of Reach?
If you’re reading this and thinking, "But Jessica, I can’t find joy right now," that’s okay. There are days when joy isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision to trust that God is still at work, even if we can’t see it. Don't pressure yourself to feel happy all the time. Finding joy in hard times can look as simple as taking the next breath. It’s about noticing one good thing—just one—today.
What Our Community Taught Me
Through this season, I learned from our church, family, and friends what it means to love each other in hard places. Every prayer, every visit, every shared smile reminded us that we’re not alone. Our stories are stronger when we share them. Our healing is deeper when it happens together.
Small Steps for Finding Joy in Hard Times Right Where You Are
- Tell a joke or laugh at one
- Thank God for one small thing today
- Invite a friend to check in, or send an encouragement
- Pray—even if it’s just one word
- Remind yourself this will not last forever
Let me remind you, joy is not just for the easy days. It’s for the trenches, the hospital beds, and the silent nights, too. We can all practice finding joy in hard times, not by denying our pain, but by refusing to let it have the final say.
If you need a little hope or just a reason to smile, give our podcast episode a listen. There is something beautiful about the stories we share and the faith that grows, even in broken places. You are not alone in this. We’re in it together—laughing, crying, and hoping side by side.
Want to go deeper? Listen to the full episode "God Was With Me: A Child’s Healing Journey" for more real stories and encouragement for your own season. Let’s keep finding joy in hard times—one moment, one prayer, and one laugh at a time.
