The Gift of Tears
Rev. 21:4 – He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
John 11:35 – “Jesus wept.”
Matt 5:4 – Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
I’ve had plenty of tears in my life. One such time is the passing of my buddy Newton, who is pictured here. I’m sure you have had many times of tears, as well, but I’m not sure I’ve spent much time thinking they were a gift. Especially the kind where your eyes get all puffy, your nose runs, and your face gets red. But I have had times when tears were a gift.
When I was a child, I was very sensitive. It didn’t take more than a stern look to set my tears flowing.
My family shares a story about me when I was in kindergarten, and I was crying. I cried a lot. The teacher asked me why I was crying, and I said I was afraid of a dog I had to walk past on the way to school. I remember it was a very large German Shepard tied to the neighbor’s garage. It lunged and barked every time I walked by. It was very scary for a barely five-year-old walking herself to school.
My teacher asked if anyone could walk home with me. One boy raised his hand and said he would like to help, but he was scared too. So much for chivalry.
When I was in first grade, my teacher’s name was Mrs. Youtzie. I was struggling with math (I still do) and would cry every time I couldn’t get the answer on my worksheet. She would yell and then take me and my desk out to the hall, where I was ostracized and cried even more. I even remember one time she threw a Kleenex box at me.
I also got sent to the principal’s office and had to miss recess. My mom made a chart for me at home and, if I remember right, I got a sticker every time I did not cry at school.
By the second grade, I refused to cry. If I felt like crying, I would hold it in. I was not going to be embarrassed again.
Now, I can’t say I never cried during my later childhood and early adult life. I know I did, but I had a fierce determination to hold it in any way I could.
Now, you might wonder why I’m telling this story. God redeemed this story and gave me the gift of tears.
When I was in my late 20s, my husband and I attended a large church in Virginia Beach, VA called Rock Church. He was a member of the worship band and was on stage from the beginning to the end of the service. I sat by myself most of the time.
I love the Lord, and I love worship, and we had some great times where the presence of God was very strong during the worship service. The tears wanted and needed to come so bad. I would hold it back until my throat hurt.
No one else was crying, so why should I? They might wonder what was wrong with me, this woman who sat by herself every Sunday. It didn’t make any sense to me. But God! He was speaking to me to let them go. When I finally let loose, it was such a relief. It didn’t matter anymore. I didn’t care what anyone thought, and they just flowed.
Since that time, almost any time I spend worshiping in God’s presence, the tears flow, and I don’t care.
Now you may not have a story to tell about tears, but just know that David wept over his sin and in the death of his son. Psalm 30:4 says that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
Jesus wept over Lazarus in John 11:35 even though he knew what was about to happen.
Tears can be seen as a form of prayer when we are unable to speak. Tears are a sign of a softened heart that is willing to receive comfort and grace. Tears are a gift from the Father who, it says in Psalm 56:8, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in a bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.”
Know that God knows your heart, and he wants to heal it. I believe that tears are a form of healing, and I can’t wait to see all my tears in heaven and all of his record of my sorrows. I don’t know, but maybe when I get to heaven we will have a purging of my sorrows. Jesus and I will dump them all in a beautiful, heavenly lake.
Don’t forget Rev. 21:4 that says there will be no more sorrows in heaven. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
But do you think we will have tears of joy and happiness? I think the gift of tears will still be around. I can’t imagine seeing my loved ones in heaven and not crying or standing in God’s presence without a face streaming with joyful tears.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for tears. I thank you that you keep track of our pain and sorrows and your only desire is for us to be whole and healed. Heal those who are reading this prayer. May they know your love and have a desire to seek you.
Discussion questions:
1. Do you think tears are a gift from God? Why?
2. If you are an emotional person like me, do you seek God in your sorrow or do you seek solace from other people or things.
3. What can you do to learn more about what God says about tears?
Action steps:
Here are a few things to think about if you are wondering how God uses tears for our benefit:
- First and foremost, seek God in prayer and Bible study.
- Surrender your emotions to God.
- Encourage others in your own study of God’s Word regarding tears.
John 16:20 reads, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy.”
Psalm 30:11-12 reads: “You have turned my sorrow into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever.”