As far back as I can remember, I have been the type of person that benefits from a good cry. I wouldn’t describe myself as super emotional, still, yes, I cry, no, I don’t see that as I bad thing.
I don’t know if it’s southern culture or perhaps the culture of the present day and times that we live in. Many seem to see any outward expression of emotions, especially crying as a negative thing. This, I admit, I don’t quite understand. I know that we ought not be ruled by our emotions. Crying, no matter the circumstance is not bad.
I think of the different instances throughout the Bible that detail crying: Joseph hid away and cried when he was reunited with his brothers. Abraham cried when Sarah passed. Job wept as grieved. Solomon mourned the realization that Saul would no longer be king. David rent his clothes and mourned the birth of the sickly child he had with Bathsheba after he met with Nathan the prophet and realized the folly of his sin. Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. Jesus wept when He was told about the death of Lazarus and saw Mary and the Jews weeping. He also, being in the Garden at Gethsemane was in agony as He prayed. (To name a few.)
When I consider these examples, and remember Psalms 56:8 NKJV, “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” I cannot help but think that there truly is a reason for our tears. And though I may not know why, or fully understand them, there is a reason. And, there is coming a day when, “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4 KJV
Last week was a challenging one. I faced adversities I could not have prepared for nor imagined. And, I cried. God hears our prayers and He doesn’t hold His peace when we shed tears (Psalm 39:12).
As a child growing up and even listening to the message I heard echoed back to me from the kids I counsel: Crying is a sign of weakness. I’m writing this for myself more than anyone else. I’m writing this to dispel the lie. Crying is not a sign of weakness. Our tears move God. He hears our cries. We don’t serve an unfeeling, out of touch, unreachable God. On the contrary, we serve a God who cares. We serve a God who cares so much, that He sent His Son to put on flesh, to feel, experience humanity – there is nothing we feel or face that Jesus did not in His time on earth. I’m thankful for that. I’m thankful to serve a God who truly does understand and loves me just the same. He’s not out of touch. I can admit being out of touch with the new generation, but He is not out of touch with us.
*Original Image by Yours Truly
On the Outside Looking In 
May the Holy Spirit comfort you during these trials. Life is certainly difficult and without Jesus I don’t know how others make it. I enjoy following your blog. You are transparent and thoughtful. I am praying this, too shall pass soon. I’ve had dry seasons when I couldn’t cry though I was deeply hurt. One day several years ago it had been a very long time since my first son died that I had cried. Something let the flood gates open and I wept so deeply releasing all that I had pent up. Then suddenly a little boy showed up with a kitten and asked if I wanted him. That kitten became a wonderful and beautiful addition to my home. These days it seems He still shows up when I need to know He’s listening.
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Oh Phyllis 🤍 sending you the warmest hug! I haven’t lost a child. I cannot imagine how that must hurt. I was driving to work today and was talking to God.. I really have no words to express what I feel.. Some people go through the unimaginable. Yet, He holds them – He holds us. I’m really thankful. Thank you for sharing.
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Thank you. I did go to a really dark place, but God sent me to work with 2 other nurses on a night shift. One was a very devoted Christian who you could tell was “a light” to the world. The other was a preacher’s wife who was also devoted. They brought me back from that dark place and I am forever grateful to the Lord for sending me his earthly angels.
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My children used to say I cried for a living. I went through years of sorrow it seemed and I do think my ability to cry kept me from falling apart. I am sorry you have en experiencing difficult times but I am glad you feel comfortable crying. It is such an emotional release. I hope you have better days ahead.
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Hey Maggie! You know, I am so grateful for the ability to cry. I think you said it so well, you maybe wouldn’t think so, but I think it does keep us from falling apart. I often say that crying is therapeutic. Many of my girls here will come and report when they’ve “had a good cry”. I know that we have good and bad times in this thing called life.. Growing pains, right?
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And growing never stops – or at least it should never stop.
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