Thursday, October 17, 2013

By: Gwen Hitt

It's OK to Cry

John 11:35 Jesus wept.

Have you ever tried to comfort someone who is going through a very difficult time and just felt that ALL of your Christian wisdom was NOT what that person truly needed at that moment? Instead, what the person really needed was acknowledgement that you understood the pain that this individual was experiencing.

During a recent telephone conversation with someone very dear to me who is going through a rough time, I began speaking words of encouragement to her. She listened and even agreed that what I was saying was true. However, I could hear the pain in her voice....I could feel her despair.

I suddenly realized that she did not need these wonderful promises from the Bible at THAT moment. She only needed to know that it was OK for her to cry....to mourn over her situation. This realization brought Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 to my remembrance "There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven--A time to weep and a time to laugh; A time to mourn and a time to dance." This was her time to weep....to mourn. As someone who loved her dearly, it was my responsibility to assure her that it was OK to do so.

Today's verse is the shortest verse in the Bible, but I believe it is one of the most powerful. These two words shed tremendous insight as to The God we serve. This verse is taken from the chapter of the Bible which recounts Lazarus' death and resurrection. Although Jesus knew that a great miracle was about to occur - He even told everyone that Lazarus was not dead - He still responded to the pain that Lazarus' sisters, family, and friends were experiencing. He WEPT along with them. He shared their grief.

My challenge to you is to go to Jesus with Your pain if you are individually going through a difficult time. Likewise, be cognizant to the pain of those around you. It is OK to weep with them as Jesus did with Lazarus' family, BUT it is also imperative to do what He did after He wept. He went on to show the miracle working power of God's love. By raising Lazarus from the dead, He brought peace and hope to the souls of those who were suffering....AND that is what He wants for you...for me!!!

Dear Lord, Psalm 34:17 states "The righteous cry, and The Lord HEARS and DELIVERS them out of all their troubles". I thank You for the assurance that You are always there for me when I cry out to You in my pain and also there to SAVE me from my brokenness.

I also thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.