What Makes You Cry?

The sights and sounds of sobbing and wailing bring upon the onlooking human spirit cause for lament and chagrin. There are not many who don't genuinely mourn with those who mourn, particularly after the widespread tragedy of catastrophe like earthquake. Ordinarily we cry because of our suffering or the suffering of our loved ones.

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What makes us cry says a lot about us -- equally, what makes us laugh also says a lot about us. In the preview to the book of Lamentations, the NIV Study Bible mentions we cry for one of two reasons; it's either for self-centred reasons or God-centred reasons.

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When we mourn due to our own losses and suffering it is understandable. We're created with the capacity to mourn with tears of lament or complaint for a reason... to cry out to God so he could heal our sorrowful hearts. There's a purpose. It doesn't end with us, but with God. I know of times in my life when my own personal tragedies have almost sweep me away in a torrent of anguish; all but for God and the love of my family and close friends (within which [the family] his power and truth always lies). God places in our hearts the capacity to 'feel' him, and of course, if we're fortunate, we have family and friends to ameliorate the pain.

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All of this support brings meaning to our suffering; meaning that we can see the reasons why, finally, somewhere 'down the track.' This process can take years!

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I'm not sure if this type of mourning described above is self-centred. It's a response to tragedy. But the reason why we cry in these instances is both significant and interesting. One could cry about the devastation in a self-centred way or a God-centred way. God-centred lamentations have a sprinkling of faith to offer to God -- the tears -- they're a genuine sacrifice of faith offered to him with hope (that one can't yet see but just knows somehow). Self-centred lamentation is different. It's formed more as a complaint and it usually exacerbates the situation within the wounded person's heart. Pride stands in the way, blocking the healing power of God's Spirit in washing clean the spirit of the person suffering.

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I don't know about you, but have you ever cried yourself to sleep (... cried out to God) and then awoken in the morning and experienced a fresh hope? I have, several times. God hears our cries and somehow heals our contrite hearts in the process. It's a miracle. To experience this is truly miraculous -- because it is inexplicable without conjuring a spiritual causation.

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One thing I have learned in life; don't cry so much for justice for self. Cry for self, but cry to God. We don't even need to complain or explain. The Spirit knows and he gives us the answer that we so desperately need.

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Surely we're blessed most of all to cry for others who suffer substantially more than we do... take a look around you -- take a good look...

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Copyright © 2008, Steven J. Wickham. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.