Crying is not a sign of weakness, but is evidence of our humanness and there are different types of  'cries'...different types of 'pain'. Some tears are tears of  joy or happiness. Still other 'hurts' are  physical and some are ...emotional. This article is about the tears that we experience from the emotional 'hurts' that we encounter in our lives.

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

     So, if you need to cry...cry.

      However, 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, grimy mud. It's soggy and slippery and you'll  find that you have nothing to 'grip' on to in order to 'climb' out of your valley. It is not a question of 'wanting' to get out your depressed state because, you'll try...over and over again. But continuously you will s-l-i-d-e back down into that low place. And there you are. Still  crying... profusely, still depressed and forlorned, still 'stuck'...in your 'valley of tears'. You have forgotten to look up. You have forgotten that the 'Son'...still shines.

     Cry...yes. But cry for just a while. Cry long enough to 'moisten' the soil of the 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 replenishing. Lucious, rich grass will spring forth...a carpet of peace on which you can 'rest' and lay down your burden(s). Herbs will also appear...to be eaten for strength and their oils will be there for the healing and soothing of your painful wound(s). As the sweet odors  flow through the air from His beautifully arrayed 'flowers of encouragement'... you will be refreshed. You will soon feel 'enabled' to climb out of that valley and now, when you grab the foilage that has sprung up all around...you will 'grip' it... well! 

     Oh, I'm not saying that when you leave that low place you won't feel  'aches' here and there. Nor am I saying that  you won't go back every now and then and 'wet' that valley...just a little. But, after a while, the 'pain' of these things will pass and you will never again become so 'bogged down' in the 'valley of weeping' that you are unable to function and to...move on.  Why won't it happen again? Because now you know 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, in spite of the magnitude and depth of your pain...you can embrace the joy of overcoming it all...with the Son's 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 survive. 

Is 43:2, Eccl 3:4, Ps 30:5, S of S 2:1, Rev 22:2 

copywrite;jmsbell-06/27/2012