I grew up in the mountains of North Carolina where the imbedded code of manhood had various key principles such as…”Big Boys Don’t Cry”. As I have grown older, I have learned to appreciate tears.
Tears are a healthy way to release the pressure that builds up inside during times of stress, crisis, or grief. Experts tell us that is really therapeutic and healthy for us to cry. I had a conversation with a nurse that worked in a Intensive Care Unit at a Children’s Hospital about how she coped with the stress of her work. She told me that there were times she would feel overwhelmed. When that occurred she would go outside during her break time and just cry to let go of some the tension. It is almost like a whistling tea kettle that lets off steam. It is good to let go of some of the pressure that builds up inside of us. If you keep suppressing it inside you can develop health issues and or you can be explode like a emotional volcano with rage and anger. That hurts us and often times those around us, It is much better to release the pressure gradually rather than all at once.
Although it is important to have a healthy control of our emotions, there are exceptions… Jesus, who was fully God and fully man and yet he wept. The shortest verse in all the Bible is “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). The occasion was at the the death of His friend Lazarus, he wept even though He would later raise him from the dead. Think about that a minute, the Creator, Great Physician, the Savior cried when He was told of the death of Lazarus. Why? Because Jesus loved Lazarus and his family.
When we are hurting it is an opportunity to turn to God who loves us so much. Jesus loves and cares for you and me just as he did for Lazarus! The Bible also teaches us that the Lord is “near the broken hearted” (Psalm 34:18). One translation (Contemporary English Version) describes this verse: “The Lord is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.” When a child encounters hurt or pain, they will instictively run to an parent or grandparent who loves them, We are God’s children and we too should run to God our Heavenly Father who loves us so much.
Our tears are actually important to God. Psalm 56:8 (The Message Bible) states: ” You have kept track of my every toss and turn through sleepless nights. Each tear entered in Your ledger, each ache written in Your book.” You and I don’t have any idea about the number of tears we have cried through the years, but God does because He loves you and me. Tears remind us of our need for a loving God and that He is always there for us.So next time the tears come..let’s just Praise The Lord..let Him know what is on your mind and heart because He cares for you and me…

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“Keep on the sunny side,
always on the sunny side,
Keep on the sunny side of life!
It will help us every day,
it will brighten all the way,
if we will keep on the sunny side of life”
These are the lyrics from a popular song originally recorded by the Carter family during the Great Depression Years in 1930’s.This little song became a favorite because of its upbeat tempo and uplifting lyrics. The song often played on the radio, and kept people encouraged during those very difficult times. It was originally written by Ada Blenkorn who was inspired by a phrase “Keep on the Sunny Side” frequently repeated by her disabled nephew who always wanted his wheelchair pushed down the sunny side of the street.
Now, all these years later, we need to keep on the sunny side of life. There is something special about a sunny day after a storm or rainy day that lifts our outlook and attitude. When the sun is shining it provides Vitamin D which is essential for good health.
We also need a spiritual Vitamin D too. Here a are few good sources of Vitamin D for our soul that I have found healthy and helpful. These are found in our relationship with Jesus, who is described as the Son of God…
S …Jesus is our SOURCE of SALVATION, SPIRITUAL STRENGTH , and eternal security.
O … Jesus is the ONLY ONE can give us the forgiveness we need to change our heart, mind, and soul
N… Jesus will NEVER leave us or forsakes us

Let the SON shine in ..to keep us on the Sunny Side of Life!