I know someone who has admitted very matter-of-factly that they "don't cry". There have been times when we've been together that I will get very emotional and cry but they remain stoic; no tears. I am not uncomfortable in these situations though. I believe that God created us to have a variety of emotions and one of them is crying. It isn't a weakness to shed tears of happiness or sorrow. We are made in His image and therefore display the very emotions of our Creator. To make the statement "I don't cry" seems as foreign to me as someone claiming that they don't laugh. How absurd! Movies, books, songs, can bring tears to my eyes as well as someone's generosity or compassion in a moment of need. Reunions of soldiers with their families? Pass the kleenex!
Examples of crying and weeping can be found throughout scripture in both the Old and New Testament. Esau wept over the need for his father's blessing. And Genesis 50:17 records that "Joseph wept." (NIV) Then we have the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who wept at the death of Lazarus. (John 11:35) These two simple words paint a vivid picture for me. Jesus felt a deep emotion and then expressed it through tears. He was forthcoming with his feelings. He was real.
I believe it is very important for us to be honest with our feelings. Whether in times of joy or sadness we need to shed those tears. Perhaps someone has shared with you how refreshed they felt after a good cry. Let them flow! My mom used to see me crying over a movie (Brian's Song and Romeo and Juliet come to mind) and she would tell everyone to look out because " the floodgates are open". But I always felt better after that release of emotion. Be who God created you to be. Express your feelings. For even Jesus wept.
Examples of crying and weeping can be found throughout scripture in both the Old and New Testament. Esau wept over the need for his father's blessing. And Genesis 50:17 records that "Joseph wept." (NIV) Then we have the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who wept at the death of Lazarus. (John 11:35) These two simple words paint a vivid picture for me. Jesus felt a deep emotion and then expressed it through tears. He was forthcoming with his feelings. He was real.
I believe it is very important for us to be honest with our feelings. Whether in times of joy or sadness we need to shed those tears. Perhaps someone has shared with you how refreshed they felt after a good cry. Let them flow! My mom used to see me crying over a movie (Brian's Song and Romeo and Juliet come to mind) and she would tell everyone to look out because " the floodgates are open". But I always felt better after that release of emotion. Be who God created you to be. Express your feelings. For even Jesus wept.
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