Finding Hope and Healing in Our Tears

There are seasons in life when the tears just won’t stop—when pain, loss, and disappointment seem to overwhelm us. In these moments, it’s easy to wonder if God sees, if He cares, or if our sorrow even matters. Yet, the truth is that God is intimately aware of every tear we shed. Psalm 56:8 reminds us that God keeps track of all our sorrows, collects our tears in His bottle, and records each one in His book. Our pain is not forgotten or wasted; it is sacred to God, and He honors our vulnerability.

Grief is not limited to the loss of a loved one. It can be triggered by any significant loss—relationships, dreams, health, or stability. The Bible acknowledges the reality of grief and offers comfort: God is near to the brokenhearted, He heals wounds, and He promises a day when every tear will be wiped away. Even when we feel alone, God is present, joining us in our sorrow and walking with us through the valley.

Jesus Himself understands our sorrows. He wept at the tomb of Lazarus, showing us that God is not distant from our pain. Jesus doesn’t rush us through our grief or demand that we “get over it.” Instead, He sits with us, validating our humanity and reminding us that it’s okay to have moments of deep emotion. Grief is not something to “get over,” but something we learn to navigate with God’s help.

God is not only a comforter but also a healer. His healing is not always immediate or simple; it often comes in layers and over time. The tears we shed today may become the testimony we share tomorrow. God redeems our pain, using it to shape our purpose and deepen our faith. Though we may endure long nights of weeping, joy is promised in the morning.

Ultimately, our hope is not just for comfort in this life, but for restoration in the life to come. God promises a future where He will personally wipe away every tear, and all pain, loss, and sorrow will be no more. Until that day, we are invited to bring our tears to God, knowing He counts them, shares them, and comforts us through them. We do not grieve as those without hope, for God’s love and healing are ever-present, carrying us all the way.

Key Takeaways

• 1. God Counts Every Tear God is intimately aware of every tear we shed. He does not ignore our pain or dismiss our sorrow; instead, He honors our vulnerability and keeps record of our tears, not to shame us, but to assure us that our pain is sacred to Him. Even when others may not understand or may try to minimize our grief, God treasures every moment of our brokenness. [13:34]
• 2. Jesus Understands and Shares Our Sorrows Jesus does not rush us through our pain or demand that we move on quickly. He sits with us in our grief, validating our humanity and showing us divine compassion. The shortest verse in the Bible, “Jesus wept,” is a profound reminder that God grieves with us and is never far from our suffering. [19:41]
• 3. It’s Okay to Have Moments—Grief Is Not Linear Grief is not something we simply “get over.” It comes in waves and can be triggered by memories, songs, or even meals. Allowing ourselves to feel and express our pain is not a sign of weakness, but a reflection of our humanity and a step toward healing. Jesus Himself modeled vulnerability, reminding us that it’s okay to have moments when the tears flow. [22:00]
• 4. God Heals the Brokenhearted, Often Through the Process God’s healing is not always immediate; it often unfolds in layers and over time. The pain we experience can become the foundation for our testimony, as God redeems our suffering and uses it for our growth and purpose. Even in the darkest seasons, God is working all things together for our good, and our tears are never wasted. [25:15]
• 5. Hope Beyond Our Tears—A Promise of Restoration Our faith does not promise a life without tears, but it does promise a future where every tear will be wiped away. God Himself will bring ultimate relief and restoration, making whole everything that was broken. Until then, we are invited to bring our pain to God, trusting that He will comfort, heal, and carry us through every season of sorrow. [28:57]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [00:47] - Gratitude for Worship and Praise Team
• [02:01] - Introduction to “Good Grief” Series
• [02:45] - Prayer for the Sick and Setting the Text
• [03:46] - Reading Psalm 56:8
• [04:46] - The Reality and Depth of Grief
• [06:04] - Grief Beyond Death
• [07:28] - Biblical Promises for the Brokenhearted
• [08:30] - God’s Perspective on Our Tears
• [09:55] - God Values and Records Our Tears
• [12:27] - Four Lessons from Psalm 56:8
• [13:34] - God Counts Every Tear
• [17:21] - Assurance for Those Missing Loved Ones
• [19:41] - Jesus Understands Our Sorrows
• [22:00] - The Ongoing Nature of Grief
• [23:05] - Vulnerability and the Humanity of Jesus
• [25:15] - God Heals the Brokenhearted
• [26:59] - Purpose in Our Tears
• [28:57] - Hope Beyond Our Tears
• [29:48] - A Tearless Eternity
• [31:08] - God’s Parental Comfort
• [32:38] - God’s Response When Tears Won’t Stop
• [33:45] - Joy Comes in the Morning
• [35:16] - The Healing Power of Tears
• [36:20] - Invitation to Bring Your Pain to God
• [37:18] - Call to the Altar
• [38:12] - Congregational Response
• [39:06] - Restoration and Prayer
• [40:03] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Psalm 56:8 — "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." (NLT)

- John 11:35
"Jesus wept."

- Revelation 21:4
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

Observation Questions

1. According to Psalm 56:8, what does God do with our tears and sorrows? What does this say about how He views our pain?
2. In John 11:35, what is significant about the fact that "Jesus wept"? How does this connect to the way Jesus relates to our grief?
3. The sermon mentioned that grief is not just about losing a loved one. What other kinds of losses can cause grief, according to the message? [06:04]
4. What promise does Revelation 21:4 give to those who are grieving? How is this different from what we experience now?

Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon says God keeps track of every tear and records them, not to shame us but to assure us. Why might it be important for us to know that God honors our vulnerability? [13:34]
2. Jesus didn’t rush past the pain of others but sat with them in their grief. What does this teach us about how God wants us to handle our own grief and the grief of others? [19:41]
3. The message says, “Grief is not something we simply ‘get over.’ It comes in waves.” How does this understanding of grief challenge or affirm what you’ve believed about how Christians should handle sorrow? [22:00]
4. The sermon talks about God’s healing coming in layers and over time. How might this process of healing shape our faith or our testimony? [25:15]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that sometimes we try to hide our tears or feel ashamed for crying. Is there a time when you felt you had to hide your pain from others? What would it look like to bring that pain honestly to God, knowing He counts every tear? [13:34]
2. Jesus wept with those who were hurting. When was the last time you allowed yourself to sit with someone in their pain, or let someone sit with you in yours? How can you be more present with others who are grieving? [19:41]
3. The message said it’s okay to have “moments” when grief comes back, even years later. Are there certain triggers—like songs, meals, or memories—that bring up old grief for you? How do you usually respond, and how might you invite God into those moments? [22:00]
4. The sermon reminded us that God’s healing is often a process, not a quick fix. Is there an area of your life where you’re still waiting for healing? What would it look like to trust God with that process, even if it’s slow? [25:15]
5. The pastor said, “We do not grieve as those without hope.” How does the promise of God wiping away every tear (Revelation 21:4) give you hope in your current struggles? [28:57]
6. The message compared God’s comfort to a parent picking up a crying child. When you are hurting, what helps you feel God’s comfort? Are there practical ways you can remind yourself of His presence when the tears won’t stop? [31:08]
7. The pastor invited people to bring their pain to God, not to pretend everything is okay. What is one step you can take this week to be more honest with God—or with others—about your struggles? [36:20]