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It’s ok to cry…
Tears grow stronger hearts

Today’s Scripture
In taday’s scripture, the Apostole John records the event in the Jesus’ ministry when his dear friend Lazarus’ sisters are mouring their brother’s death ana awaiting His arrival. As Jesus arrives, he is met by the understandingly emotional women and responds.

“When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him? he asked.
“Come and see, Lord” they replied.
“Jesus wept.”
Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”

— John 11:33-36

As a child, I remember by grandmother telling me that it was ok to cry. Peering up into her kind and loving eyes with tear-stained cheeks, she told me that much like God uses a warm gentle rain to grow a beautiful flower, He can use the tears we shed to heal our heart and help it grow even bigger and stronger than it was before. As a child I didn’t know why, but it made feel better and brought me comfort.

As an adult, although I now know that literal heart size growth is not what she meant, my life journey has taught me that her words were true and that we really can experience heart growth through our tears. In my case, I was made by God to be emotionally sensitive and am known by those close to me to shed tears of joy, happiness or pain and sadness as the situation dictates. No matter how tough you are, I’ve seen and learned that sometimes life can squeeze the tears out of any us. The good news is that in the process of going through things that hurt, our capacity for empathy is made greater by the heartache we’ve experienced… and sometimes that includes a good cry.

GOD’S HOPE AND PROMISE

One of the most compelling aspects of Jesus ministry here on earth roughly two thousand years ago, is that God has chosen to come to us and offer His peace and love in human form. Amazingly, the choice to be with us as both Lord and man includes Jesus showing the ultimate human emotional vulnerability and weeping with compassion when confronted with the loss, sadness and heartbreak of those He loved. “Jesus wept.” (John 5:35), is known as the shortest verse in the entire Bible. Why?… perhaps because our expression of grief and love through tears is such a relatable and powerful emotion. One that we have all experienced and understand.

Jesus also shed tears for the nation when approaching Jerusalem for Passover prior to His crucifixion as he “Saw the city and wept over it.” (Luke 19:41.) It’s what makes the Christian journey so unique. A relationship with Jesus offers us the hope that we worship a God that understands us and what we’re going through in times of loss at the deepest and most intimate level. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He promises us that “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4.) What a blessing is when turning to Jesus in moments of deep emotional despair, to be able to count on the promise of comfort from a God that understand our tears so intimately.

VISUALIZE AND CONTEMPLATE

Imagine a waterfall in the rainforest freefalling powerfully over the edge of a cliff surrounded by trees laden with hanging moss and vines that seem to be jutting up to the sky above you. The mist is drifting upwards in clouds of shimmering droplets of light from where it has crashed onto the rocks below. Birds are chirping and an unidentifiable animal screeches a call for its mate into the jungle air. Everywhere you look, there are flowers. Big, beautiful petals the colors of the rainbow… pink, red, yellow and white standing out in their vibrant beauty against the lush green growth that surrounds the falling water.

You can hear the thunder of the cascading water, feel the moisture against your skin, and see the breathtaking scene God created before you. Feel the power of the water hitting the rocks below and gently shaking the earth upon which you stand. Consider the glory of this living image. Focus on the greatness of God. Your stress and anxiety melt away as you

Today’s Prayer for…

GROWTH AND STRENGTH THROUGH
TEARS OF SADNESS

Dear Lord, I come to you today with a heavy heart as I struggle through a sadness and despair that has led me to tears. Jesus- I am so grateful that you know my heart and the heaviness it carries. What a comfort it is to know that you understand what it’s like to feel heartache for those we have loved and lost. You have promised that when we come to you in our mourning that you will bless and comfort us. We pray you walk with us, dry our tears and help our hearts grow stronger like Spring flowers following a warm rain. We thank you and trust you. In Jesus name. Amen.

Book Excerpt at Inspiration.org

Survive-Alive-Thrive June 16, 2021

Inspiration.org hosts an excerpt from Survive – Alive – Thrive: Navigating the Journey from Loss to Hope to Happiness by Mark S. Negley

5/25: The Reclamation Podcast with Tony Miltenberger

Survive-Alive-Thrive May 20, 2021

Episode Description Mark Negley is a grief expert. His story is one full of loss and pain – but one that also ends in joy. No matter what you are facing, Mark wants his story to help inspire you to live a joy-filled life. LISTEN NOW

5/25: I Am Refocused Radio with Shemaiah Reed

Survive-Alive-Thrive May 20, 2021

Episode Description Mark Negley has walked the dark and difficult road of grief recovery, and since dedicated his life to helping others through difficult life experiences. In Survive-Alive-Thrive, Mark uses his story and the stories of several others to teach a new model of grief recovery from the perspective of those who have experienced loss

5/18: Timothy Yap at Jubilee Cast

Survive-Alive-Thrive May 11, 2021

Mark Negley has a passion to help others navigate through difficult life experiences. This has inspired him to serve as Founder and Executive Director of Survive-Alive-Thrive. In his new book Survive-Alive-Thrive, Negley uses his story and the stories of several others to teach a new model of grief recovery from the perspective of those who have experienced loss

5/14: Moody Radio: Ken and Deb Mornings

Survive-Alive-Thrive May 7, 2021

Segment Description To close out this week of Life after Loss, author Mark Negley recounts a season of loss after loss and how God helped him to navigate those stormy seas. Mark discovered that there is a path to hope, joy, and abundant life that transcends our current circumstances. He’ll offer up his personal testimony

6 Ways to Support a Friend Who Is Grieving at Crosswalk.com

Survive-Alive-Thrive May 5, 2021

Mark wrote a very useful perspective on what we can do to support a grieving friend for Crosswalk.com. Read the full article at this link. https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/ways-to-support-a-friend-who-is-grieving.html

4/30: Cornerstone Television Network’s Hope Today

Survive-Alive-Thrive April 23, 2021

Mark makes and appearance on Cornerstone Television Network’s Hope Today program where he discuses his new book, Survie-Alive-Thrive and how even if you are stuck in a hopeless place, you can navigate life’s journey from grief to hope to happiness.

2/10: The Turned On Podcast with Angelike and David Norrie

Survive-Alive-Thrive February 3, 2021

Mark talks with Angelike and David Norrie on their Turned On Podcast; discussing his new book and how we can have hope in the midst of loss and grief and move to a joy filled life. From the Podcast Description The light at the end of the tunnel. What role does faith play in coping

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