Joy in the Morning describes the pilgrimage of Ann Marie Jernigan from her successful pursuit of a career in musical theater through a heartrending family crisis involving spousal abuse, divorce, and the death of a daughter born with physical and neurological disorders. Ann repeatedly cries out to God for answers as she struggles through periods of spiritual turmoil and doubt. Ultimately, her faith is restored when her perspective on life becomes God-centered rather than self-centered. It is then that she discovers God's plan for her life.