Day 3: Let the Tears Fall
Crying is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of courage.
Scripture: John 11:35
“Jesus wept.”
It’s the shortest verse in the Bible—and one of the most powerful. Jesus wept.
Jesus didn’t expound on the spiritual value of being strong. He didn’t say that everything happens for a reason. He stood at the tomb of his friend Lazarus—and cried.
Even though Jesus knew he was about to raise Lazarus from the dead, he still let the tears flow. Why?
Because grief is sacred. The pain of the moment needs to be honored. Even the Son of God didn’t skip over His grief.
There are times when we may be afraid to cry. We’ve been taught to “be strong,” to “move on.” But tears are not weakness, but an inner truth becoming an outer response to loss. Tears are your body and soul releasing the pain of losing someone or something precious to you.
Jesus didn’t feel self-conscious about crying with others present. He knew that expressing his feelings was a normal experience. You may be afraid to let you tears flow when they need to. If so, set aside time when you read these devotions to let your feelings out.
God sees your tears. They are not wasted. The psalmist says that God keeps them in a bottle (Psalm 56:8). Tears matter. Feelings matter. You matter.
Let the tears fall whenever they need to. Jesus did. You are in good company.
Prayer
Jesus,
You wept, so I know I don’t have to pretend with You.
Help me stop apologizing for my grief.
Let me cry freely and know that each tear is safe in Your care.
Comfort me in my sorrow—not by taking it away, but by staying with me through it.
Amen.
Healing Practice for Today
If you feel the tears rising today, do not hold them back. Set aside a few minutes in a private space to let your emotions flow. You might even write your tears down—as words, scribbles, or poems. Let it be messy. Let it be real.
Journaling Prompt
When was the last time I cried? Did I feel shame, comfort, or something else? What might Jesus say to me as I cry?
Closing Blessing
Feel the nearness of Jesus in every tear that falls.
Know that your sorrow does not scare Him,
silence Him, or drive Him away.
Release the shame and welcome the healing.
You do not cry alone—Christ weeps with you.
"Pray As You Go” (Breath Prayer)
Inhale: My tears matter…
Exhale: … Jesus cries with me.