Thanking God for the Tears

I am so glad we are doing this journey of faith together!

I just had a good cry. My phone rang this morning and the friend who called shared devastating news. His son has cancer. I listened as his emotions ranged from anger to despair, to resignation, and then finally, in the end, he arrived at a place of peace. His resolve was that his son would fight cancer and he would be there for his son every step of the way. He cried, I cried, and our tears mixed over the phone. Jesus met us both at that moment.

When I hung up the phone, I thought to myself, "I am so grateful that Jesus made tears." Tears allow us to release difficult emotions so that they don't remain stuck in our souls. Tears drain our anger and give form to our grief. Tears also create a space in our hearts for joy and hope. I am so grateful that Jesus made tears!

When was the last time, you cried? When was the last time you shed a tear for yourself, or someone you love or to release an emotional burden to Jesus?

I want to remind you and encourage you with the shortest verse in the whole Bible!

“Jesus wept.” (John 11:35, NIV)

This verse is a miraculous gift to me today and I hope and pray it is for you as well! The God of the Universe cried over His lost people. If Jesus can cry, I can too! Jesus released his emotions and I believe, He is inviting us into the same permission. Tears are a language that God understands.

I would love to share two more beautiful truths about tears:

1. Tears are not permanent. Psalm 30:5b says, “weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning." (NIV) Even though you may be struggling in this dark night of the soul, one day, the tears will cease and joy will return!
2. Tears are precious to God. Psalm 56:8a says, “You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle." (ESV) Every tear you have ever shed is so precious that God collects them as a remembrance of His love for you! Tears are not wasted or overlooked, they are held by the God who loves you and knows the source of your tears.

Take a moment. Soak in the love of God. Are you praying for a prodigal son or daughter? It's ok to weep over them. God knows A LOT about wayward children. Are you, or someone you love battling a disease? It's ok to cry with and for them, holding on to the fact that God can heal! Whatever you are facing, you can be honest and emotional before God!

God hears your prayer. God sees your tears. God moves near and right now, He is here.

You are a miracle!

Your friend,

Grant Fishbook