Why you should let those tears flow
a little science behind emotional tears
When Zachary came home from school in second grade, he proudly declared, “I know the shortest verse in the entire Bible!” Before giving me time to ask more, he answered, “Jesus wept.”
Two words that tell so much.
Jesus, as fully man and fully God, felt deep emotion, which caused him to respond as we do. He laughed, He cried, He smiled, He flipped tables (though this was a sinless anger response).
Jesus felt. Jesus wept.
I’ve wept many tears in the season I’ve been walking in. I’ve also tried to hold back my tears. Then I read something to Andrew in our Health lesson that was so incredibly astounding to me I’ve shared it with anyone who will listen. And now I’m writing an entire post on it.
“Tears that are secreted with every blink are chemically different from the tears shed when you feel deep emotion. Emotional tears have more hormones, including a natural pain killer, which may be one reason people feel better after a good cry.” (Exploring Creation with Health & Nutrition, Apologia Textbook, Module 5)
Emotional tears are like a natural painkiller. Only God. I’m amazed!
Learning this sent me online to read about the science behind tears. Even the most anti-God scientific sources that believe we evolved from monkeys, understand that our tears serve a purpose. Not only that, but this is unique to humans alone. Animals do not cry emotional tears.
According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, “Higher levels of prolactin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, Leu-enkephalin, potassium and manganese have all been located in emotional tears. Some researchers have hypothesized that the release of stress hormones like leu-enkephalin may help regulate the body or bring it back to a homeostatic level.”
When we release tears out of our emotions, healing takes place. Our tears contain stress hormones and natural painkillers, which help us to feel calm and at some level experience a sense of wellness.
While crying isn’t easy for everyone, we likely all can relate to that feeling after a good hard cry that feels deeply cleansing.
All I can think about is the meticulous detail of our Creator. The more I learn about Him, the more I stand in awe.
So not only is it OK to cry, we MUST allow ourselves to release those tears. It’s literally the comforting hand of your Creator at work as you cry. He knit you together in your mother’s womb. He infused your tears with specific hormones that will bring you comfort, calmness, warmth, and joy in response to your deep emotions of hurt, pain, grief, sadness, and loss.
Sowing and reaping
“Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:5-6
Imagine a farmer holding his seeds in his hands. He takes those seeds and sows them into the ground. He waters those seeds. He waits. The seeds need time, water, and sun. The seeds are sown in one season, but the crop is not ready until a future season. The time comes, the crop is ready. The farmer collects and brings his sheaves in that later season.
In your heart, you hold the seeds of your pain. With your tears, you sow your sorrow into the Lord’s faithful hands. He holds your hurts in His protective hand. And when you cry, He collects those tears in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). The hurt, loss, grief, and pain combined with your tears held by your Lord are safe. With time, with love, watered by your tears, the harvest is ready in a new season and you will bring it in with shouts of joy.
If your season is one filled with pain, grief, or loss, allow your God created tears to flow, comforting and healing you while you wait patiently for your season of joy just ahead.