Recently, a young friend died in an auto-accident and some indicated their reluctantance to express their emotions publicly.   A sensitive observer noted, ”I’ve heard a lot of people say such things as ‘I don’t like to cry,’ or ‘I don’t like crying in front of people,’ and ’I don’t cry.”  They then asked: “So what makes us get to that point? Why do we make crying such a private thing?” 

There must be a place for tears, as the Bible says, “Jesus wept!” (See Jn. 11:35.) Yes, weeping is as much a part of the human experience as laughing. (See Romans 12:15.)

The writer of Ecclesiastes says there is a time to weep and a time to laugh. (Ecc. 3:4.) I would add that there are things that should move us to tears and there are issues that should cause us to laugh. When we get the two confused, it indicates that something in is us broken. For instance, your pain should never cause me to laugh. Conversely, your joy should never cause me to cry. I should be able to rejoice with you when you rejoice and weep with you when you weep.

I’m sure that some are just very private with their emotions, but I also agree with Jeannie when she suggests that a refusal to cry can be a pride issue. It may also suggest a hardness of heart.

As Christians we are not above crying. In fact there are a lot of things happening in our world that should cause our sensitive hearts to weep. I wept and weep for those who sat through Colby’s funeral and hardened their hearts against God. I weep for a world that thinks our greatest problem is the current economic crisis. I weep for a community that continously puts God on the sidelines while they pursue selfish interests.

The Psalmist assures us that although weeping may endure for the night, it will not last forever. (See Psalm 30:5.) We are also promised that HE will wipe away all tears. (See Isa. 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4.) I may not be able to wipe the tears from your heart, but it is my desire to never cause your heart to cry!

Tears may be a part of our present experience, but it won’t always be this way. Cry, but not without hope!