Tears or No Tears...that is the question

I grew up in a family with a lot of tears. Many of them were mine. 

In fact, when Milton asked my family what they should know about me, they said, "Be prepared for tears."

Tears have always been a comfortable emotion for me to express many emotions...sadness, overwhelm, fear, happiness, and the list goes on.

Imagine my surprise to learn that Liberians do not express themselves using tears...ever. 

The only permissible time to cry is when someone has died or if someone is leaving and you don't know when (or if) you will see them again. 

This reality sent me on a journey to understand what the Bible says about tears and emotions. 

A journey that landed on Psalm 37. 

"Fret not yourself..."

I learned that "Fret not" represents an idea communicating to not be controlled by your emotions. 

It refers mostly to the emotion of anger, but the idea can also be extended to tears. I realized that being controlled by anything, including your emotions, does not properly display the self-control commanded throughout Scripture (fruit of the Spirit anyone??). 

Thank you Liberia for helping me to learn that tears are good when they are put under control.  

See the video below to hear some more thoughts on what the Lord taught me about emotions and Scripture.

In the meantime, I am grateful for how my love has the attitude to be a student of my emotions to help guide and protect me in the process. 

As I prepare for a very emotionally exciting day, here is a good reflection. 

9 more days!!