It's Okay To Cry!

The story is told of a father whose young daughter was killed in a car accident. Recalling the terrible tragedy, he told a close friend, “I cried easily before my daughter’s accident — now, I find myself crying all of the time. Sometimes the tears just slip out.”

Anyone who has suffered such intense personal tragedy understands what this father is talking about. Is there anything wrong with crying — do we have biblical evidence to suggest that it’s okay to cry?

Jesus gives us the answer. We recall that His close friend Lazarus had died (John 11:11-14). When Jesus arrived at the home of Lazarus’ sisters, they were surrounded by friends who had come to console them. When Jesus saw Mary and Martha and their friends mourning, He too was overcome. Sorrowing with them, “Jesus wept” (John 11:33-35).

It's okay to cry!

Sadness, tears, and mourning are familiar territory for everyone living on this earth — yes, even for Jesus. His tears tell us that it’s okay if tears “just slip out.” And they remind us that the reason tears of sorrow will be extinct in eternity is that “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain” (Revelation 21:4).

Dear reader, when God wipes out the effects of sin, He will wipe out the need for tears — all the more reason to look forward to spending an eternity with our loving Father (1 Peter 1:3-4; Revelation 21:3).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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• The Trail of Tears
• Weeping With Those Who Weep
• Come Fill Your Cup - Weeping With Those Who Weep
• Come Fill Your Cup - Does Jesus Care?