“Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” (Psalm 126:6 NIV)
When our hearts are broken and we still turn to God, we’re weeping while we sow. We’re trusting He can take the shattered pieces and put them back together again.
When you sow with tears, you reap joy.
Memorial Day weekend was difficult for me. The heaviness of the pandemic weighed on my heart. Friends who are dealing with difficult issues burdened me. I felt helpless in easing their pain. I turned to God in my valley. I asked Him to remove the sadness from me. I gave Him the anxiety I was feeling. I lifted up my depression. With tears, I cried out to Him for renewal and restoration. Nothing happened.
On the third morning, as I once again felt the sadness sit on my shoulders, tears slipped down my face. My husband and I had camped at the beach. We packed up early to head home for work. The tears fell as we pulled out of our camping spot. This time, my husband prayed with me. As I held his hand, I lifted up my depression to God. Nothing happened.
When we arrived home three hours later, I went to my prayer closet. I knew the verses I was going to pray:
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)
I wrote the above words in my journal. I went through each instruction and asked God for help. I gave Him my anxiety. I thanked Him for His presence. I asked Him to take away my sadness and depression. I asked for His peace. Once I finished writing, I fell to my knees.
For some reason, I felt the need to speak to God. Not quietly in my mind, but audibly through my mouth. I spoke to Him and said what I had written. I used the power of Jesus’ name to rid myself of the demons attacking me. And then I asked for God’s peace, once again. Something happened.
I felt the weight lifted from me. I felt God’s peace enter into me. I sowed with tears, but I reaped a harvest of joy. God did what He always does. He rescued me. He comforted me. He strengthened me. He breathed life back into me. He restored my hope.
You can do the same. You can take your troubles and doubts to God. You may have to do it more than once. Don’t give up. Keep trying, no matter how long it takes. God will sustain you in your valley. He’ll give you joy for your tears.
Question of the Day:
Are you sowing while you weep?
Further Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-4:34 NIV, Acts 6:1-15 NIV, Psalm 126:1-6 NIV, Proverbs 16:26-27 NIV
