Crying in the Dark

Sometimes I lie in the bed at night when everyone is sleeping and I cry in the dark.  My husband is often right there beside me but he has no idea that I am crying in the dark.  There are days when the pressures of life seem to be unbearable for me to carry on my own.  There are times when I desire to see things change in the lives of my family, friends and my community; however, situations seem to get worse rather than better.  There are times when I wish I had the resources to supply the needs of others so that their needs will not be so great.   There are times I cry in the dark because I desire so deeply to have my deceased family members back not only for me but for those that I love.  There are times when I so desperately want things in me personally to change and I struggle with trying to fix myself. I know that this seems like a strange confession but I truly do cry in the dark.

I understand that I may be one of very few people that are willing to be open about this and that is okay but for those that cry in the dark as I do, I want to encourage you on today.  Always remember that even when you are crying in the dark God is there and he sees every tear.  In the book of Psalms it says that God puts our tears into his bottle. “Thou tallest my wanderings; Put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book” Psalms 56:8.  I recall when my friend told me this scripture in Germany how refreshing and important I felt.  My deepest hurt and concerns are so important to God that he chooses to keep track of every tear I shed.

Know that those tears that you are shedding in the dark are tears of cleansing and healing.  As strange as it sounds but crying is often a process of healing for the heart.  When we cry it is not uncommon for our innermost being to feel better after it is over.  In the midst of our crying God draws closer to us even though we may not feel like he does.  “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” Psalms 34:18. Even when I cry in the dark I know that God is there.  I know that my prayers are being heard.  I have a confidence in knowing that the tears I am shedding in the dark when everyone else is asleep will cause God to move on my behalf. Know that your tears are not in vain and that God has promised joy after your weeping.

“For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning” Psalms 30:5