Far too often, we as Christians are influenced by the culture around us and not by the word of God. It is exactly this tendency that is in view when Romans 12:2 exhorts us, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…”
Do grown men cry? Should they?
Well there was only one perfect expression of manhood who walked this planet. It was not John Wayne, Tom Cruise or some other Hollywood superstar. The most perfect man was Jesus Christ, fully man as well as fully God.
“Jesus wept” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the entire Bible – short on words but long in what it reveals. It is all the more remarkable because Jesus knew He was about to raise Lazarus from death. Why cry when within minutes, grief would be banished and He would get glory from such an outstanding miracle? Yet such was His love, such was His compassion both for Lazarus himself and for his family’s grief, that Jesus wept real sincere tears. There was nothing fake about them.
Acts 8:2 tells us that when Stephen was martyred the Church made “loud lamentation” over him. They were not scolded by God for their tears and told to be more spiritual or to act more “grown up”. The Scripture’s complete silence of scorn and ridicule for the Church’s tears speaks volumes to us.
Even when Jesus knew deliverance was right around the corner and was just about to bring it, He cried… He wept. The fact that you cry does not mean you do not trust God or His promises. It means you are truly human and you feel real pain. God has designed our tears to be release valves for the strain, stress and pain we all feel in this world. Your tears are precious to God. So much so, that He even makes the promise to you that He will one day wipe all tears from your eyes.
Be encouraged child of God. You are so very precious to Him, even as you pour out your soul to Him while tears stream down your face. Sometimes our praise is indeed a sacrifice. Yet He is worthy of all our affection, devotion and worship, even when our hearts bleed for all we may have lost in this world. The Scripture tells us, “Therefore humble yourselves [demote, lower yourselves in your own estimation] under the mighty hand of God, that in due time He may exalt you, casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully.” – 1 Peter 5:6,7 (Amplified Bible)
The song (below) is dedicated to all those who have lost someone precious in romantic love. Perhaps you feel broken hearted and the pain you feel is so overwhelming right now that it feels like your world is crumbling all around you. It might even seem like the whole thing is just way beyond your ability to cope with. His word to you is that it is NOT. He never allows a temptation to occur that is beyond your ability to counter as a new creation in Christ. Allow His word to speak directly to your heart, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13
He sees the end from the beginning and this time of grief was known to Him before you were even born. Please don’t waste this opportunity to praise Him. Instead, consecrate your heart to Him afresh. What the enemy meant for your harm, God meant for your good (Genesis 50:20). The enemy seeks to devour you and steal from you. His chief desire is to rob you of the praise of God. He wants to silence you, especially now. In its place, he wishes to hear words of murmuring and complaining and to get you fully absorbed in yourself and your feelings. Turn the tables on him and set your heart towards the God you still trust, even as you hurt inside. Praise the Lord, thanking Him for His salvation, the fact that you are His. God knows that what He has put on the inside of you will withstand every storm, and nothing can separate you from His love, neither death, nor anything in this life, nor angels or demons, heartbreak or pain.
In the midst of your grief, let me tell you, God has not abandoned you. As a child of His, you are so precious to Him. Not everyone can say “all His plans for me are good.” But you can. He will work even this loss to your good, though you cannot see this now. God loves you so very much. He is deeply touched by the feelings of your weakness and infirmities and just know this, precious one… sometimes… just sometimes, it really is ok to cry. Take it from Jesus.