How Small Moments of Joy Can Bring Comfort to Hurting Children

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What Is Toy Story 5’s Hospital Outreach?

According to the Starlight Children’s Foundation, Disney and Pixar have joined in collaboration to provide themed hospital wear, character visits, parties, and workshops across the globe. From special Toy Story 5 screenings to custom gowns and interactive art workshops, the goal is to offer these kids comfort amid fear and illness.

With the recent release of Toy Story 5, Disney Studios reports that the film will be shown at over 400 children’s hospitals, including more than 300 across the United States. While children may typically go to the theater to see such releases, this program helps them stay safe and enjoy entertainment from a protected space.

Growing up, I didn’t know many kids who were sick enough to live in a hospital. But if I did, I knew that hospitals were the last place they wanted to be or have fun at. From needles and procedures to long days, unexpected crises, medical supplies, and unfamiliar faces, hospitals are a place of safety (yes), but also of fear. By bringing something as simple as imagination and Disney characters into these halls, Starlight believes lasting joy, laughter, play, and creativity can result far beyond the kids’ treatments.

Though joy isn’t natural when we’re hurting, we as Christians can use it to care for those in need. Over time, small acts of joy and encouragement can actually become glimpses of God’s hope for those who need it most. We aren’t just called to meet the physical needs of orphans, widows, and those who are hurting—we’re called to walk alongside them, meeting them right where they are.

How Can Joy Bring Comfort Without Denying Suffering?

If we had our way, I think most of us would choose to live in a world free from suffering, pain, and hard questions. Nothing is good about a child dying of cancer in a hospital bed or having to live at a clinic because of their diagnosis. But Proverbs 17:22 gives us something everyone is capable of passing on to those around them: a cheerful heart.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (NIV).

An important distinction here is that joy doesn’t equal denial. Two things can be true at once. I can be thankful and have a hard day. I can be in pain and still praise God. When it comes to suffering, similar examples are true: A child can have cancer and still laugh. A family member can be scared but also experience beauty. You can grieve and smile. Biblical joy never erases suffering. Let me write that again. True joy that’s rooted in Scripture doesn’t ask you to act like the hard thing isn’t happening. But it does give us time and space to breathe in the middle of it.

From sickness and disease to unfair circumstances, it’s normal not to be overly “joyful” or “happy” all the time. Kids don’t have to spend every waking moment being brave. Sometimes they (and we) just need to be kids. To remember that they are human. To know that it’s okay to feel. Maintaining this kind of joy doesn’t mean that our circumstances will automatically be good or that we will feel like shouting for joy. It means we can change how we respond to the circumstances we’re currently facing.

Jesus Made Room for Children

In Matthew 19:14, Jesus explained this well when He said, “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these '”( NIV). This is a beautiful lesson for all of us, no matter how old we get, because Jesus consistently taught that children matter. Just look at a few of these verses:

Matthew 18:3: “ And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (NIV).

Psalm 127:3-5: “Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court” (NIV).

Proverbs 22:6 : “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (KJV).

In biblical times, giving children such a high status was rare. They were often seen as a bother, helpless, or overlooked. And yet, Jesus drew our attention to them. He welcomed them. He invited them. He made time and room for them. He even told us to become like them (not in maturity, but in faith). Today, when we make room for bringing joy to children in hospitals, we’re communicating that they matter. Jesus loves them (and so do we). They deserve to live life to the fullest, even in a cold, worn hospital room.

How can we become these kinds of people? How can we make room in our busy schedules to serve those who are hurting?

How Can Simple Acts of Comfort Bring Joy to Hurting People?

It might surprise you, but sometimes offering comfort to those in need can look incredibly simple. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 says it this way: “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” (NIV). This is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible because it shows that we don’t have to ignore our own suffering to help others with theirs.

It’s typical in today’s culture to imagine meaningful ministry as big and monumental events. Massive altar calls, stadium concerts, and evangelistic outreaches overseas. But comfort can be shown in a smile. Time. Effort. A genuine conversation or a silly movie. A hug. Your presence. Space to hold their grief and pain when answers still cease.

From the outside looking in, these items are small. It may not cost a lot to purchase a toy or a movie. But more than that, it will cost you time. Your heart. Your motives and ambitions. Because to someone in need, these moments are a light in their darkness. A white flag that says, “I see you, I care, and I’m here. I will make the time.” You don’t have to be rich to bring comfort to someone’s pain—you don’t even have to offer to fix it. You simply have to show up.

Romans 12:15 explains it this way: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn” (NIV).

Showing up is a picture of emotional presence. It’s being present and genuinely and authentically choosing to:

-Sit with someone

-Cry with someone

-Mourn, dance, and listen to someone

-Encourage someone

While dropping off supplies or presents to those in need is nice, sometimes what people need most is other people. To sit with them. Spend time with them. Hear their hurts. Listen to their stories. Someone to let them know they’re not alone and you’re not going anywhere. This type of action, this presence, goes beyond the walls of hospitals or the visitation cubes of prisons. It’s a joy that says your identity is bigger than your diagnosis, crime, or past.

• Imagination gives children a temporary place to go beyond the hospital room.

• Play allows them to experience normal childhood rhythms.

• Joy reminds them that their identity is bigger than their diagnosis.

If you’re looking to help someone in need today, don’t underestimate the ministry of encouragement. Spend time with a relative. Send a care package. Leave a handwritten note. Volunteer. Pray. Serve. Laugh. But most importantly, lead with love. Time. Presence.

Does someone around you need a little joy right now? It’s not just for children. Hospital outreach partnerships like Starlink may focus on kids, but the principle applies to all of us. We have the opportunity to walk with those around us:

Those in cancer treatments, grief, chronic illness, and pain.

Those with anxiety, financial issues, loneliness, and caregiving.

Those in depression, confusion, doubt, and despair.

Everyone can use a dose of joy.

Who in your life might be living in a “hospital room” that you could choose to serve today?

How Can Christians Become People Who Bring Joy?

1. Identify someone in need - this could be a neighbor, a stranger on the street, your spouse, a friend, a co-worker, or a store clerk. Look for someone who needs a bright spot in their day, even if they don’t appear to be looking or asking for help.

2. Don’t underestimate kindness - offer five minutes to pray with them, talk to them, buy them a cup of coffee. It doesn’t have to be grand to matter; it just has to be genuine and intentional.

3. Celebrate joy - even if you’re walking through your own hard season, don’t make others feel like they can’t celebrate. It’s good and healthy to normalize and process your pain (and theirs), but don’t stay in that place. Make room and give permission to experience both.

4. Pray - when you’re out and about or just starting your day, ask God to open your eyes to those who are in need today. Who needs your attention, care, and kindness? Look for opportunities, but also let God lead.

While I wish that you and I could use these steps and magically cure every hardship from the face of the earth, I know we can’t. Children are still in hospital rooms, people have cancer, and suffering is a part of this life. But we can make a powerful difference. We can bring a little light to hard places, even if those hard places never get any better here on earth. Sometimes it’s a prayer. Sometimes it’s a smile. Sometimes it’s your presence in the still silence. And every single one matters.

A Prayer for Children Facing Illness and Hospitalization

Dear Jesus,

Today we pray for those who are facing illness and hospitalization. We ask for guidance for parents, siblings, and friends walking alongside those navigating hard times. Please provide us with the wisdom we need to respond to those who are hurting and a heart that reflects you at all times and in all seasons. We love, praise, and thank you, Lord. Amen.

Agape, Amber

Frequently Asked Questions about Toy Story 5, Hospital Outreach, and Joy

• What is Toy Story 5’s hospital outreach?
  Toy Story 5’s hospital outreach includes screenings and themed experiences that bring the movie to children and families in hospital settings.
• Why does joy matter for children in hospitals?
  Joy matters because it can offer children moments of imagination, laughter, comfort, and normal childhood experience in the middle of fear, illness, and treatment.
• Does biblical joy mean ignoring suffering?
  No. Biblical joy does not deny suffering; it helps people breathe, hope, and receive comfort even when the hard thing still exists.
• How did Jesus treat children?
  Jesus welcomed children, made room for them, and taught that they matter deeply in the kingdom of heaven.
• How can Christians bring joy to hurting people?
  Christians can bring joy through prayer, presence, encouragement, kindness, listening, serving, and small acts that remind people they are seen and loved.

For Further Reading

• What Is Joy in Christianity?
• Why Did Jesus Say “Let the Little Children Come to Me”?
• Who Is the God of All Comfort?
• The Right Way to Comfort Someone Who’s Hurting
• Can There Be Joy in Suffering?

Photo Credit: CANVA by simon2579 from Getty Images Signature

Amber Ginter is a teacher-turned-author who loves Jesus, her husband Ben, and granola. Growing up Amber looked for faith and mental health resources and found none. Today, she offers hope for young Christians struggling with mental illness that goes beyond simply reading your Bible and praying more. Because you can love Jesus and still suffer from anxiety. You can download her top faith and mental health resources for free to help navigate books, podcasts, videos, and influencers from a faith lens perspective. Visit her website at amberginter.com.

This article originally appeared on Christianity.com. For more faith-building resources, visit Christianity.com.