Weeping. Crying. Sobbing. Wailing. Viable grief, mourning, sorrow; we are emotional beings…for our good. “a time to weep” -Ecclesiastes 3:3 ESV
Tears often make an appearance suddenly, unplanned…and often not preferred. We all cried as babies, but as we grew to adulthood, social stigmas were taught or learned, implying that crying — particularly at work or in public, or in men– is something to be avoided, ashamed of, or is a sign of weakness. Medical research proves the opposite: emotional tears have been found to eliminate stress hormones and other toxins from the body. Crying also stimulates the production of endorphins, our body’s natural pain killers and “feel-good” hormones, bringing physical and mental relief. Many years ago I learned to give free rein to tears for my own mental and physical health after experiencing chronic back pain. Through the medical truths presented in Dr. John Sarno’s book “Healing Back Pain”, I addressed issues that I had repressed for years. Tears came, I allowed them, and at that point found the release and relief that accompanied crying and positively affected my physical being.
As a caregiver, many situations provoke emotional tears: loss, sorrow, grief for your loved one, compassion, frustration, weariness, being overwhelmed, exhaustion, to name a few. You will also face times that you cannot give way to crying – in emergencies when things happen too quickly, when you need to make immediate decisions, or even when your crying would hamper the emotional well-being of your loved one or halt the progress of their therapy. However, when tears and emotions are repressed, you will find they will surface later in some way and often “out of the blue”. At those times, it is wise to give yourself a time to grieve, allowing the memories to surface and the tears to flow, developing the strength and self-awareness to cry. Doing so will aid in the process of resolving your sadness and grief as well as preventing depression.
If you personally still need permission to yield to tears, then consider that permission is granted – from your Creator, your Heavenly Father, as He created you. “You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” -John 8:32 ESV. We are free to be all God created us to be, unashamed and without fear of anyone’s reactions, judgment or retribution. Truth states there is a time for everything under heaven (read Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) and Truth is that Jesus wept and He is our example (John 11:35). As we yield to God as Lord of our emotions, the very emotions He created in us, we can freely give rein to tears, knowing His Lordship will undergird us with peace and those tearful moments will be just that –moments, although at times they may seem never-ending – and they will serve His purpose in us and in others, even if we never know to what extent.
Thank you, Father, for tears – cleansing, healing, releasing our overflowing emotions, and that You know us inside and out. (Psalm 139:1-18 ESV)
SONG LINK:
Mandisa “Just Cry”
https://youtu.be/pxvnVa-dGT8
For Those Who Care 