If you’re the sort who carries tissues in your purse and says, “sorry, I’m a crier,” in Bible studies and on coffee dates, you probably make me a little uncomfortable. That makes me doubly thankful for you.
People like me, whose husbands say “you are?” and squint when we admit we’re crying, need you. We see something of God in you that isn’t so evident in us- God is both holy and expressive. He isn’t ashamed of emotions.
Further, God designed us to feel and express- and there’s no shame in that, either.
How God Uses Tears
God gave us tear ducts, and wired our bodies to wet our eyes. He made crying a universal response to strong emotions, one that stretches to every part of the world and throughout history.
The Psalmist shows God counts tears as precious, saying:
“You keep track of all my sorrows.
You have collected all my tears in your bottle.
You have recorded each one in your book.” –Psalm 56:8
God counts and pays attention to the details of our lives. He keeps track of our faithfulness in little things, how many hairs are on our heads, and every word we speak. Not a minute or thought or feeling escapes his notice.
But God’s Word emphasizes something more than paying attention when it comes to tears. He collects our tears- happy or sad.
God doesn't just notice our tears. He collects them. To God, our tears are meaningful. They are dear. Share on XOther passages give us a few hints as to the place tears have in God’s design.
- Tears Convey Compassion
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35). Not just one time, either. He wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19). In Jeremiah 14:17, God tells Jeremiah to tell His people He is crying over them. Tears convey the depth of God’s feeling for those He loves and that he can experience many feelings at once out of compassion. Sometimes we find our happy tears for others reveal how strongly we share in their feelings, too.
By God’s design, crying shows care and compassion. When you cry with or weep for someone, you demonstrate how greatly you love them- and can point to how deeply God loves them, too.
- To Comfort You
“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” (Revelation 21:4). When God sets all things right, there won’t be a cause or need for tears any longer, so God will wipe them all away. We’ll at peace, whole, at the pinnacle of joy, but perpetually.
In the meantime, as long as there is death, mourning, and pain, responding with tears makes sense. They’re comforting for the crier. They show that God makes a way for us to respond to and express that something is wrong- and He agrees- something is wrong! That’s why He hasn’t wiped away the tears yet.
- To Comfort and Celebrate Others
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those weep” (Romans 12:15). If you’re a crier, this charge from God might come quite naturally to you. Use your tears to share joy and sorrow. Offer them to others to show you’re sharing in their burden or blessing. Crying can be a big part of comforting or celebrating with others- even people like me, who will have no idea what to do but appreciate not being red-faced and sniffly alone.
Tears show that God makes a way for us to respond to and express that something is wrong- and He agrees- something is wrong! That's why He hasn't wiped away the tears yet. Share on XThis post may also be shared on: #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #RechargeWednesday, #Heart Encouragement, and #SoulSurvivalLinkup.
Aw, Bethany … I’m not much of a crier either. I used to feel bad in elementary school when we’d watch a movie where the dog died and everyone else was crying but me. (Funny thing, though, whenever I watched a movie that included a wedding, I’d cry my head off during THAT!) I do love how God created us with tears—whether they mostly glisten in our eyes or fall fast and frequent, they are often more comforting that words. And the idea that He collects our tears in His bottle is precious, precious truth. Hugs, friend.
Oh my goodness I identify with that elementary school memory, Lois! Weddings sometimes bring tears to my eyes, too (even if they don’t brim over.) Too funny that that always gets you. But funny in a sweet way. Yes, tears can be so much more comforting than words. And I’m grateful for these precious truths from His Word with you!
Oh, I resonate with this, because I fear sometimes that my “failure ” to produce tears will be interpreted as a lack of feeling. I suffer with people and feel their pain, but we all respond in different ways.
We do, Michele. Thanks for affirming I’m not the only one – I fear the same thing. Isn’t it amazing how God created us all to respond differently, and so to reflect him in different ways too?
Good to read this again!
I am definitely a crier, but never thought to really look at what’s behind it. Thank you.
Thanks for reading, Lauren. I pray you keep crying with assurance that God uses your tears!
Oh, I am such a crier! (Usually call myself a crybaby!). Yet, I just had this discussion with a teen recently about our tear ducts and that God wouldn’t have created us with them if we were not to cry. I have grown to accept this part of me and am so grateful that God gave us tears. Thank you for the ways God uses them in ministry with others too. I saw the title way up on the linkup and visited a neighbor and then had to come here. So grateful I did.
Aw, thanks for taking the time to read this, Linda. I’m sure that teen was so blessed to have tears affirmed- God did give us tear ducts! Please keep crying to God’s glory.
I am not much of a crier either, and I do wish I could do it more sometimes. It’s interesting how we can all respond in such different ways.
I wish that myself sometimes too, Lesley. I suppose God uses us non-criers to comfort or celebrate in a different way, though!
I am not a big crier, but I find myself crying more as I get older and see and feel things from a life of experiences. (My dad was the same way. He shed tears more easily as he aged, and often happy tears.) Love all the reasons you share about why we cry. This resonated, “Crying can be a big part of comforting or celebrating with others.” I am seeing this more and more.
“Feel things for a life of experiences.” Wow that’s a wonderful insight, Theresa. I’m glad you’re seeing tears as a way of comforting or celebrating more and more- and I pray I will shed tears more easily as I age too!
This is me. 🙂 Like Linda said, I often call myself a crybaby because I can cry so easily. 🙂 I’ve yet to make it through an episode of “This Is Us” without crying. I’m trying to learn to stop apologizing for it. It seems like whenever we cry, the first words out of our mouths are “I’m sorry.” But we don’t need to be. Thanks for sharing this!
Lisa, I’m glad you’re trying to stop apologizing for crying- your tears are good and matter! I slightly envy that you can cry so easily 😊
Bethany, Okay I admit I’m a crier. your words here made me pause and reflect on the lesson to be had here. blessings.
I hope you find crying can be a blessing! Thanks for coming by!
I’m a crier and was often teased about it as a kid. And I admit, I often apologize for my tears. But I also know, we are all different and have come to accept my tears. Just Monday, I revisited Psalm 56:8 and it brought peace to know not one of our tears is missed by our God.
Such peace in knowing he doesn’t miss even one of them! I’m sorry you were teased for being a crier as a kid but glad you’ve come to accept them. Those tears are gifts!