Our Tears Have a Purpose

Today on the blog, Jackie Bartels (Next Gen Ministry Assistant) is sharing a little about the unexpected path she's walking on with God. 

“Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.” Psalm 126:5

We all experience highs and lows in life. We as Christians are told to shine for Jesus through the trial. 

But what about when we have tears? Where do we put the tears? Tears are part of the story. 

Recently I was diagnosed with a very early stage of cancer… as in “God is so incredible” early! As surgery looms we have thankful hearts, but we also have tears. Tears of a loss of innocence, (we are not invincible?), tears of worry and pain in our daughters’ eyes, sadness, love, gratitude, and yes even fear. 

Everything became different very fast. We had been chosen for a trial. All of us. I cannot hide my tears. That doesn’t make me weak or unbelieving. The Bible says God collects our tears in a bottle. Who am I to not give the Lord a treasure He wants to collect??? 

My point is this, crying and sadness don’t need to be immediately soothed with “God’s got this!” or “He has a plan!” We all need to plant our tears so we can harvest shouts of joy. It must be one amazing collection bottle that He always makes good things come out! 

I’m going to cry and I’m going to trust. We do not know how our trial will end. We do know “God’s got this!” and “He has a plan!”

 “They weep as they go plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.” Psalm 126:6

Our tears have a purpose and we are going to sing. God is amazing.