Crybaby

Remember the sniffling child on the playground that was hurt or saddened to tears and the peers nearby chanting “crybaby, crybaby”? Well I sometimes wonder if I fit in the crybaby category. I am moved to tears during movies, weddings, songs, graduations, or by births and deaths, not to mention all the emotional times of brokenness or sharing a loved ones feelings. It appears the harder I try not too; my emotions just seem to flow down my cheek.

If you can relate, you know that people often perceive those who cry easily as an element of weakness, and sometimes it feels that way. Now some of you might “cry” without tears, but either way, crying is an inescapable emotion.

Tears in the Bible

We are not alone as there are many stories in the Bible about people crying; Esau, Jacob, Joseph, Benjamin, Ruth, David, Saul, Hezekiah, Job, Peter, Mary, Mary Magdalene, and Jesus just to name a few. There are also numerous Bible verses about crying and tears. In Ecclesiastes 3:4 we learn that in a world of brokenness, tears are a part of life. “A time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

If we have tears of sadness, we are taught in Psalm 30:5 that we should move forward in our faith as God is in control. “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning”. Even if we dry our eyes without anyone noticing, God knows our pain. “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalm 34:15).

Jesus is There to Comfort

In addition, no matter what provokes our tears, our Lord and Savior collects them. “Lord you keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. And You have recorded each one in your book.” (Psalm 56:8). God sees and hears our cries of joy, our cries of brokenness, and our cries of weakness. He should see me as a “crybaby” as I weep over the sins I have committed. Cry for the brokenness of the world.  Sob for those who do not know Jesus.

So let the tears of sorrow flow, the tears of joy, the tears of tender emotions. Then as we kneel before God when watery swollen eyes blur our vision of faith, let the voice of Jesus guide the way with the promise of always being there when we need Him. At that moment, “in the morning” as Psalm 30:5 says, God will give us relief. It might not be until our last day, but it will come.

Cry in Faith

There are no wasted tears for those who put their trust in the Lord. When we cry in faith, our hearts will be made whole in Him. By believing His promises for us through our first cry until our last, we will then have endless tears of joy. Experiencing the salvation won for us on the cross.

Dear Lord, thank You for Your precious love and unending grace, giving me clear vision even though tears blur what I cannot see. Amen.