There are tears of joy or happiness. Still other tears come as a result of the 'hurts' we experience in life, which can be physical or emotional. This article is about the tears shed due to the emotional 'pain' that one encounters. 

Crying is evidence of our humanness. It's all right to shed tears over an 'issue' that hurts. For, no matter what the hurt involves...tears do help. After a good cry, the windows of our souls are washed and we can usually 'see' so much clearer, thus, the 'weight' of the burden(s) we are carrying is lessened, considerably. 

So, if you need to cry...cry, as there is no shame at all in crying. 

However, speaking metaphorically....let me caution you about something; don't stay in your 'valley of weeping' too long. Lest you over-saturate the earth and it becomes 'too' wet. When the soil is too wet it turns into a mass of thick, bogged mud. It's soggy and slippery and you'll find that you have nothing to 'grab' on to in order to 'climb' out of your valley. It is not a question of 'wanting' to get out of your depressed state - you'll try...over and over again. But because you are constantly 'watering' the ground beneath you with your tears, you will continuously s-l-i-d-e back down into that low place. And there you are, still crying, profusely. Still, depressed and forlorn…still 'stuck' in your 'valley of tears'. Why? You have forgotten to look up! You have forgotten that the 'Son'...still shines! 

Thus, cry...yes. But only long enough to 'moisten' the soil of your valley and then, look up! 'Allow' the Son's 'love rays' to work! Let Him use the water from your tears to turn your 'valley of weeping' into your 'valley of renewing'. You will find that out of the valley’s sorrow will come your healing. His replenishing rich grass and flowers will spring forth...producing a carpet of peace on which you can 'rest' and lay your burden(s) down. Herbs will also appear...to be consumed for strength and their oils for the healing and soothing of your 'wound(s)'. As the sweet odors from His beautiful ‘garden of encouragement' seep through the air... you will be refreshed. You will soon feel 'enabled' to climb out of that valley and then, when you grab the new growths that has sprung up all around...you will 'grip' it... well! 

I'm not saying that when you leave that low place you won't still feel 'aches' here and there. Neither am I saying that you won't go back every now and then and 'wet' that valley...a little. However, the severe 'hurt' of painful things will decrease over time and you will never again become so 'bogged down' in your 'valley of weeping' that you are unable to function and to...move on.  Why won't it happen again? Because you've learned, through your 'valley experience', where to look for help...Up! 

This, then, is the gist of it all; we cannot understand all the things that God allows in our lives. But never forget that He did not promise us there would be no rivers to cross or flames to pass through. What He promised was this; '...when we pass through the waters...and go through the flames, He would be with us...' Thus, in spite of what you may go through, in spite of what you've gone through, or are going through, whatever the magnitude and depth of your trouble...you can embrace the 'cheer' of overcoming it all...with Jesus' help! 

I am not telling you what I think. I am sharing with you what I have learned and know...from personal experience.  

So, remember; when we hurt...we cry. But when we 'Look up' to the Son...we are healed and  survive. 

Is 43:2, Eccl 3:1 & 4, Ps 56:8 & 121:1-2, Jhn 16:33, Rev 22:2

(c)jmsbell-06/27/2012