For Cryin' Out Loud

"Jesus wept." John 11:35

These two words reveal so much about the character of God. Jesus came to earth with a flesh and blood body. He came with feelings and emotions and a heart full of love. He made connections with others that went far beyond Him making His way to the cross. This scripture tells us just how human He really was that hurt for His people, that words sometimes failed Him and that God values every tear we shed.

God chose Jeremiah (the weeping prophet) to be His spokesperson at the most critical time in Israel's history. Jeremiah didn't always have the words to describe his feelings, but his tears often served as his message. He was not ashamed to bury his head in his hands and sob, loudly.

If you research crying it has shown that tears contain chemicals related to stress. When a person cries, he or she is actually washing away harmful effects of stress.

On an episode of 'Everybody Loves Raymond' (one of mine and Dana's favorite sitcoms; don't judge). Raymond spied on Debra while she was having some 'alone time'. Through their living room window he witnessed her sitting cross legged on their sofa, holding a box of tissues as she was listening to a sad song, during which time she began to cry; uncontrollably. He was quit confused and later confronted her about it thinking he had done something to cause this action. She tried to explain to him there was nothing wrong and that it was just healthy for one to have a good cry every once in awhile. Walking away still confused at this statement the last scene of the episode was Raymond sitting cross legged on their sofa, holding a box of tissue, listening to that same song and making all kinds of distorted faces...(some men need to practice crying more).

Scientists discovered long ago that crying more frequently and openly may be a way to excrete "stress waste" more readily. Whatever the scientists have discovered about crying, God understood in the beginning.

I don't know about you but I can identify with the woman in Lamentations. "Bitterly she weeps at night, tears are upon her cheeks" (Lam. 1:2). And the prophet who said, "Streams of tears flow from my eyes because my people are destroyed. My eyes will flow unceasingly, without relief, until the Lord looks down from heaven and sees: (Lam. 3:48-50). And even Jesus in our opening scripture, "Jesus wept." (Mark 11:35). I cry easily (just ask Dana; bless him) and I believe if we (as women) allow our emotions to be seen by our husband they will see our hearts when words do not come and maybe, just maybe they will feel more at ease with us to let the tears flow. What better way to gain some stress management during these uncertain times. Letting your guard down and being vulnerable (through your emotions) with your spouse is such an intimate way of sharing with one another.

I love you & He loves you more!

Lord, Thank You for showing us how You exercised that raw human emotion as You shed tears. Help us to open up to our spouse in our emotions so that we may ease stress that this world showers on us daily. Bless our efforts as we open up to one another in ways we may never have before. In Jesus' name. Amen.