“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning” (Psalm 30:5) is a heartwarming scripture that reminds us that tears are not signs of weakness nor something to be avoided or hidden. Our tears are not the enemy or something to be ashamed of. They are a gift, a pathway to healing and renewal. David’s joy did not come in spite of his tears but because of them. His moments of sorrow were the fertile soil from which his joy blossomed. Without that dark night of weeping, the morning light of joy might not have been as radiant or profound.
Tears have a transformative power. Scientists have found that tears help us release stress. These studies reveal that emotional tears contain stress hormones, which are released as we cry, helping to lower cortisol levels, the hormone our body produces when we’re scared or overwhelmed. Tears are like a natural way of saying, “I need to let go of this.” This is why many people feel a sense of relief or calm after crying. Tears also trigger the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that naturally make us feel better. In this way, our tears are designed to help us heal both emotionally and physically. During David’s darkest nights, his tears softened his heart and prepared him to experience God’s renewal. His sorrow was not wasted. It became the very means by which he was able to receive joy.
However, there are times when tears may signal an underlying mental health concern, especially if they affect our day-to-day activities or feel uncontrollable. When we find ourselves unable to stop crying, when our tears come without a clear reason and seem unending, or even when we want to cry but can’t, it may point to unresolved trauma, depression, or another mental health challenge. Even David, in his lowest moments, called out to God for help, acknowledging that he couldn’t handle his burden alone. If your “night” feels like it’s lasting far too long, it’s important to talk with someone, like a trusted friend, or a mental health professional for support and guidance.
Our dark, emotional nights are not forever. They have a purpose. It is in the darkness that growth takes place and wounds begin to heal, and where the heart learns to lean on God’s promises. For David, this darkness was not a period of suffering but a sacred transition, a bridge between despair and deliverance. It was through his tears that he was able to fully experience the joy of the morning, a joy made richer by the contrast of what he had endured.
In our lives, the same principle holds true. When we embrace our tears, we give ourselves permission to heal and grow. Each tear carries us closer to the morning, closer to the realization that even in our deepest pain, God is working to bring us renewal. Morning joy is not the absence of weeping but the culmination of it, the triumph that comes when sorrow has done its refining work and made space for hope to take root.
So, the next time you feel like the night is lasting too long, remember David’s story. Tears may come, but it doesn’t mean that you are at your end. They are the beginning of something new. They remind us that the joy waiting in the morning will be even sweeter because of the tears we cried during our dark night.
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