The Power of Small Joys in Grief

Grief has a way of narrowing our vision. In the midst of loss, it can feel as though the world has been drained of color, leaving only shades of sorrow. Ordinary moments that once brought delight may now feel hollow, and the weight of absence overshadows everything else. Yet even in the valley of sorrow, God offers us glimpses of beauty—the power of small joys in grief that whisper hope into our hurting hearts.

I remember days when getting out of bed felt like an impossible task. The ache of missing my daughter was overwhelming, and the silence around me seemed unbearable. And yet, in those same days, God met me in unexpected ways. A gentle breeze brushing my cheek. A verse of Scripture that spoke directly to my broken heart. The moments when pictures of Melanie would suddenly begin to display on our Alexa, or one of her favorite songs would play on the radio. These were not grand, earth-shattering moments, but small joys that reminded me that not only was I was not forgotten, but neither was she.

Grief does not erase the possibility of joy. In fact, it makes those moments all the more precious. The laughter of a friend, the comfort of a warm cup of tea, or the quiet peace of watching a sunrise—each is a reminder that life, though altered, still holds goodness. These are gifts from a loving Father who knows exactly what our weary souls need.

Scripture tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights” (James 1:17). Even the smallest joys are evidence of His tender care. When we pause long enough to notice them, they become stepping stones—helping us move forward, even if only a little, on the path of healing.

If you’re struggling through your grief today, I encourage you to keep your eyes open for the small joys. They may not erase the pain, but they can ease its weight. They are God’s way of saying, I see you. I am with you. You are not alone.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning."

Loss will always carry its heaviness, but the power of small joys in grief—no matter how small—has the power to remind us that hope still lives. And when we gather these little joys, one by one, they become a quiet testimony of God’s faithfulness in the midst of sorrow.