Across the Pastor’s Desk by Jill Marin

Many times in life, we shed tears. Whether we can feel the tear trickle down our face or down our heart, it is there. We may be feeling sadness, anxiety or even relief. Tears can represent many things going on in our lives. Studies suggest tears help with the release of endorphins in our body and can help reduce stress and discomfort. What does God’s word say?

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed,” Psalms 34:18 (NLT). David, whom God referred to as a man after his own heart, shed many tears. David wrote in Psalms 6:6, “I am worn out with sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.” Job was another man who experienced great pain and suffering.  “My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God,” Job 16:20.  Everyone at times goes through periods of hurt, suffering, sadness and pain. Maybe we feel as if it is never ending. We can know that God is with us to help us through even the darkest of times. “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds,” Psalms 147:3.

Many times we can feel anxious, confused or overwhelmed. We can even feel frustrated and angry about issues in our lives. It is OK to cry to God then, as well. “My tears flow endlessly; they will not stop until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees,” Lamentations 3:49-50. He sees our every tear. David wrote, “You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book,” Psalms 56:8. God cares for us at all times, even when we are feeling anxious or afraid. “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you,” 1 Peter 5:7

Finally, sometimes we can even shed tears of relief, gratefulness or joy. These tears can feel good, as if we have been spared a hardship or obtained a victory. God cares about those tears as well. “He has saved me from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling,” Psalms 116:8. He rewards us if we keep the faith. We may not know when the end to our hardship is coming, but it is coming. “Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy,” Psalms 126:5.

God’s plan is to turn our sorrows to laughter and our pain to joy. “He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair,” Isaiah 61:3. We can turn to him today. “He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever,” Revelation 21:4. There is nothing wrong with crying. Shed those tears. God cares about every one.

 

Jill Marin is a pastor at Grace Christian Church in Albert Lea.