Watching for the Morning: 90 Devotionals for When Hope is Hard to Find

by Vaneetha Risner

Have your tears lasted more than a night as you’ve been watching for the morning? Does the waiting feel too hard and God too distant?

Waiting, watching, hoping – these words describe how Vaneetha lived for years, after her once-comfortable life dissolved in front of her. She pleaded with God to fix her situation and stop the pain in the midst of an escalating illness, the death of a child, and an unwanted divorce. But instead of doing what she asked for, God gave her something even more wonderful. He offered Himself. 

This devotional will help you find hope in whatever you’re facing today as it grapples with the inevitable
  How do we embrace the present moment with its pain and imperfections instead of just waiting for our problems to disappear? How do we live with uncertainty, trusting that God is doing something beautiful in what appears to be an empty silence? How do we wait for God, satisfied in him alone, without insisting on the outcome we want?
These 90 devotions are for anyone who is waiting in the dark, wondering when life will get better. Some reflections will encourage you to press on, some will help you process your losses, others will make you laugh, and still others will show you the gift of lament, in both its grittiness and grace.  Ultimately, they’re all intended to draw you closer to the God who is always for you – who is nearer than you know and loves you more than you can imagine.
  Weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning.  Psalm 30:5

Genres: Christian

288 pages, Hardcover

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[Lone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This rich Bible saturated devotional is like a friend taking your hand in the midst of walking through unbearable suffering and despair. And leading you to the only place you can go to: To Jesus and Scripture.

Vaneetha is living it and telling it so honestly and still steadfast in her faith. Do not miss this book. Praise God for Vaneetha🙌

[Faye · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed Vaneetha Rendall Risner for several years. Vaneetha has endured betrayal and divorce, a child’s death, severe chronic-progressive illnesses since childhood that cause her to life with pain. Through these trials, she has leaned heavily on God for her comfort and strength. I have been blessed by her writings of: The Scars that Shaped Me; Walking Through Fire; and her Bible Study-Desperate for Hope. Vaneetha now has a 90-day devotional, Watching for the Morning.

What I appreciate about Vaneetha’s writings is the authenticity, genuineness of her experiences, feelings, pain, growth, dependence on God. It’s not flowery. It’s not all sunshine. It’s raw experiences where she found God in the depths of her journey.

I was reading Day 15 – Dandelion Grace. Vaneetha says, “It’s almost as if we must prove our usefulness to society to value us. When we aren’t accomplishing anything visible [due to health, grief, life changes, etc.] to others, we may feel like a burden, wishing we could serve rather than being served … But when does the dandelion do its most important work?”

She takes an analogy of the dandelion and paints a beautiful picture. So often with my health limitations, I feel I am no longer useful in God’s kingdom. And now God is telling me to come into the solitude of the wilderness and REST. The dandelion example shows that this is not just a resting period. There is ALWAYS more growth with God. It may be below the topsoil in the parched, compacted ground that is dying seeds, germinating and bringing forth new life in a totally different way. There is so much HOPE in this Dandelion story! https://www.facebook.com/vaneetharisner/

[Katelyn Friesen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Watching For The Morning” contains short but meaty one page readings to encourage your aching heart to turn to Jesus. Filled with stories from Vaneetha’s own life of suffering, the life of her family’ suffering, and even her friends’ sufferings, this book will encourage you that “our hope does not lie in any outcome, but in God alone.” That in the heart of disappointment we can remind ourselves that “God provides all of our needs,” so what we might be missing or grieving is “not what we needed.”
In these 90 days, your faith will be strengthened, your love for Jesus deepened, and your honesty about the beautiful brutalities of life enlightened. This is a must read for any friend, pastor, counselor, or colleague, regardless of suffering, because it’s not a matter about if you will encounter hardships, but when.
I can guarantee you, “Watching For The Morning” will help you, like it has me.

[Michelle O'Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much rich, hard fought for truth in these short devotionals. Vaneetha shares lessons she has learned through her own suffering, including excerpts from her journal as she has wrestled with the reality of life not turning out the way she had hoped. Infused in these devotionals is the hope that only God can bring in the midst of deep sorrow and suffering. I have found so much encouragement through Vaneetha’s vulnerability in the pages of this book, and have been strengthened by the verses shared at the beginning of each entry. Vaneetha reminds us that our true and lasting hope is not in changed circumstances, but in the God who stays with us and provides what we need even if our worst fears are realized.

[Jennifer K · Rating 5 out of 5]

These devotionals are written from the trenches, while life was hard. Personally, I found them very helpful because of the author’s honesty. Vaneetha Rendall Risner did not offer simple answers or shortcuts. Instead, she assembled short impactful readings which were very thought provoking. I liked the balance between her experiences as well as quotes and examples from other people. The Scripture references and practical questions provided a framework of encouragement. Whether you are facing difficulties or know someone else in the midst of trials, this book is filled with comfort for you both. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher. All opinions are my own.

[Erica Donoho]

"Watching for the Morning" by Vaneetha Risner is an excellent reminder of God's sustaining grace, constant love, and faithful provision. In suffering we may focus on what has been taken from us, the author reminds us to remember and focus on the character of God. Take time each day in suffering to experience a closeness to God that you can not get any other way.

[Shofam · Rating 4 out of 5]

With tenderness, compassion, and biblical truth, Risner reminds the struggling reader again and again of the promises of God. Risner herself has dealt with physical and spiritual suffering, and gives the reader firsthand insight into reorienting oneself to the faithfulness of God and the encouragement that can be found in his word.