Do Christians Cry?

Last week I was preparing for the wedding of a young couple, when the tragic news reached me that the father of the bride passed away suddenly, he died of a massive heart attack.

The question that we faced at that moment; “shall we go on with the wedding plans?”

In consultation with the family they decided that they will both mourn the death of the father and a week later celebrate the wedding for which they had prepared themselves and to which they look forward.

Now that I am involved in both morning and celebrating I am reminded of Life’s reality: Life and death, sorrow and celebration exist side-by-side. I took great comfort in the words of the apostle Paul: “We know that God is always at work for the good of everyone who loves him.” (Romans 8:28 CEV)

A misconception promoted by some Christians is that, Christians should be smiling and happy at all times. There are some who suggest that those who have been “saved” have no right to be sorrowful. Such people want to make us feel guilty if we show any signs of being downhearted. But let me declare: “real Christians do cry!” After, all they are followers of one who was himself a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief.

Christians, as all people go through the valley of the shadow of death. Christians are allowed to cry. What is different about Christians is that their sorrow does not lead to despair.

In the midst of their sorrow they are able to reassure each other that a better day is coming. They're able to encourage one another that the sting of life’s tragedies will one day be swallowed up in great victory.

Read the words of Paul to the Corinthian Church: “But when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting? The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the law: but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57 ASV)

But that is not all, God has promised that one day he will gather us all together in a place where the tears are wiped away and there will be no more sorrow no more paying no more death. It is that future breaking into the midst of our present sufferings that enable us to celebrate in the midst of suffering. Christians do cry; but on the other hand in their sadness they know there is victory.

Paul Weresch