It was a short conversation, but one from the heart. In just a few minutes, the tears rolled down her cheeks as emotions rose quickly to the surface.
Our eyes often become the outlet for our hearts.
Tears are a common occurrence in each of our lives, although the reasons may differ. Some cry out of sheer joy and laughter, others from stress, anger, or sadness.
Jesus cried as well, the shortest verse in Scripture tells us, “Then Jesus wept”
(John 11:35).
We are also told Jesus shed tears in prayer (Hebrews 5:7) and was well “acquainted with deepest grief” (Isaiah 53:3). Tears were no stranger to Jesus.
While society may often see tears as weakness, they may well be indicative of a deep strength – compassion:
I strongly repudiate any man who is so haughty as to condemn tears in men. He may think himself brave for not shedding tears. He may deem himself as nobler and superior to others. But facts just do not bear this out! Let me tell you, a dry eye reveals a dry and hard heart. Such a heart has become rebellious, void of feeling, insensitive as wood and stone. Oftentimes, tears betray the true heart condition of a person. It may be said that nothing discloses the inward state of a human heart more than do tears. Let me say from conviction that tears are the outlet of the heart.
(by Watchman Nee, Practical Issues of This Life, page 2)
What may be the purpose of tears?
- They may have a cleansing effect. “For the kind of sorrow God want us to experience leads us away from sin and result in salvation. There’s no regret for that kind of sorrow …” (2 Corinthians 7:10, NLT).
- They help to remove hindrances. “In those coming days” says the Lord, “the people of Israel will return home together with the people of Judah. They will come weeping and seeking their God. They will ask the way to Jerusalem and will start back home again. They will bind themselves to the Lord with an eternal covenant that will never be forgotten” (Jeremiah 50:4-5, NLT).
- They develop us. “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation”
(Romans 5:3-4, NLT).
Our tears matter to God as He sees every one. Not one falls to the ground unnoticed …
“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, NLT)
Tears in our darkest times are truly precious to our God.
God has promised to one day wipe every tear.
And I believe He will do that with His very own hand.
Today I am joining … Porch Stories and Tell His Story and Coffee For Your Heart and Woman to Woman .
Yes to all! Great reminder of purpose in our tears.
XO
They are never for naught, Tammy. Blessings!
I believe my “bottle” of tears in heaven? Is actually a row of five-gallon buckets. FILLED TO THE BRIM. xo
Right there with you, Susan. I am hoping we get to pour them when we get there as we never will cry again! xo
Interesting blog for those of us who don’t cry very much. Perhaps this is a compelling reason to allow us to let those feelings come through more often. Thanks.
I found this interesting to think about as I have so disliked that I cry easily. I have admired those who have the strength to hold them back. I think we need to find the balance 🙂
WHAT a helpful post! I have always had such an interest in the subject of tears. The scriptures you gave give so much clarity! Thank you!
Helen, you bless me so and encourage me. I am glad you found the post helpful. It’s been a good topic to think on this week. Blessings!
Thanks Joanne,
So needed this as tears have been flowing. Thank you for your beautiful heart.
Blessings,
Bev xo
Bev, praying for you. May God bring you all you need. xo
My – this was a hard one for me. I am not a cry-er…but I certainly do not want dry eyes to reflect a dry or hard heart. Very convicting – thanks for sharing.
Jennifer, as I shared above – I have so disliked how easily I do cry and admired those who have strength to keep them in. I think we need to find that balance.
This was so great and a beautiful reminder to me who is well acquainted with crying- over EVERYTHING! I absolutely love the scripture from Psalm 56, it’s amazing to know He keeps track of our sorrows and tears.
Yes, not one falls to the ground unnoticed. Amazing to think on!
Joanne,
Growing up where tears were not a super acceptable thing, it took me a long time to appreciate tears and understand how God purposed them for our benefit.
Thanks for the encouragement.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo
Sherry, I love that you said we must grow to appreciate and understand tears. I think that is true both for shedding them and the strength to withhold them. Thank you for sharing today!
I often feel better after a good cry. My husband does NOT get that. 😉
Sarah, I get it all too often 🙂
I agree tears are so important. I believe they are healing. It is a way to get what is inside out. It means we are alive and we feel. It was so nice reading your post. I just wrote on the same verse to come out in a few week. Blessings to you. Maree
Maree, I look forward to reading your post. Tears release much and free us to be moved by God. Blessings!