READ: PSALMS 6; 42; JOHN 11:1-44

When was the last time you had a good cry? I’m not talking about letting a few tears go and moving on with your day, but an all-out, feels like your heart is breaking, flooding your couch with tears kind of cry. I recently allowed myself to weep like this, and afterward, it occurred to me that it had been months since I had such a cleansing cry. Before the deluge, I felt an aching emptiness. After crying, I felt a great sense of comfort and peace.

David knew all about the healing power of tears. He wasn’t afraid to use the emotions God gave him to maximum capacity. When we read the psalms of David or other Bible passages about his life, we find many times when he wept, whether it be over his friendship with Johnathan, the sickness of his baby, his enemies having the upper hand, or his sorrow over the death of his adult son Absalom (1 Samuel 20:41; 2 Samuel 12:16-23; 18:33; Psalm 6).

In Psalm 56, David wrote that God kept track of all his sorrows, collecting his tears in a bottle and recording each one in His book (verse 8). The knowledge that God cares enough about our sorrows to keep track of them is such a comforting thought. Our emotions and tears are extraordinarily important to the One who created us.

Jesus Himself wept over the death of His friend Lazarus, deeply moved by the grief of others who also loved him (John 11:32-44). Jesus is God, and He knew that He would raise Lazarus from the dead, yet in His humanity He took the time to weep and share in the sorrows of those around Him. And, when His own death was drawing near, Jesus said, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death” even though He knew that He would rise again three days later (Matthew 26:37-38; Mark 14:32-34).

If you know Jesus, you have a promise that one day He will raise you from the dead too, and wipe away all your tears (Revelation 21:4). While weeping may remain for much of life here on earth, God promises that joy will come (Psalm 30:5). When circumstances feel hopeless, you can cling to His promises and rest in the One who cares so much for you that He records your every tear. • Savannah Coleman

• When was the last time you allowed yourself space to process your feelings with tears, whether tears of anger, sorrow, or joy? Consider setting aside some time for this, and ask God to give you the courage to follow His example and utilize the good gift He has given you in tears.

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)