"...Thus grew the tale of Wonderland: Thus slowly one by one, it's quaint events were hammered out- and now the tale is done...the dream child moving through a land of wonders wild and new, In friendly chat with bird
or beast-and half believe it true..." -Lewis Carroll

Monday, June 27, 2011

DON'T Grin and Bear It

I have just recently began reading a new daily devotional. At first, I was kind of leery about reading it because it was written by 4 slightly older ladies. However, I have been pleasantly surprised by the content and the humor contained in each devotional.

It never ceases to amaze me how on time God is. For those of you who don't know, my Granny, has been battling with breast cancer for the last 4 years. Up until just a few months ago she was in remission. Now, however, the cancer is pretty much everywhere. It has been difficult to watch the gradual ebbing away of her life. Yesterday was an especially tough day, as we began to see, for the first time the effects the cancer is having on her brain. I've decided to include a few paragraphs from todays reading. You'll understand why it spoke to me. I hope it helps you as well, World.

You can tell it's going to be a rotten day when...
- you call suicide prevention and they put you on hold
- you put your bikini top on backward and it fits better
-your blind date turns out to be your ex-boyfriend

But just remember, every flower that ever bloomed had to go through a whole lot of dirt to get there. And with the dirt, a lot of watering was needed.

Scientific research indicates that tears--real, wet, human tears--may be the body's mechanism for flushing away harmful chemicals produced during stress. A study at Harvard University showed that people who cried more in response to grief were less likely to suffer heart attacks after losing a loved one. (Previous studies showed that the risk of suffering a heart attack after a loss is fourteen times greater than normal.) Imagine: tears can break the chain of chemical events that lead to heart disease and brain damage.

Crying is the only physiological process that is experienced by humans that animals do not share. Doctors now say that shedding tears is one of the most effective performances of the human body. And there are may uneducated people who know the therapeutic value of a good old fashioned cry: sobbing, wailing, howling, just letting it all out.

You don't have to grin and bear it. You don't to be holier than thou, keeping up a spiritual front that equates tears with weakness and doubt. No, scientists now confirm, what the Bible has said for thousands of years: tears are God's gift to His precious children. When we cry, we allow our bodies to function according to God's design--and we embrace one of the perks He offers to relieve our stress.

Someone said, "God will accept a broken heart, but He must have all the pieces." As He stitches those pieces back together, the moisture of tears softens and makes flexible His strong thread of healing in our lives. Big wet tears are part of the the rich human experience. The people who weep unashamedly are the same ones who live and love with their whole heart and soul. Those who mourn are those who have allowed themselves to feel real feelings because they care about other people.

Do you realize what a gift it is to feel, even when it hurts?

Sometimes allowing yourself to cry is the scariest thing you'll ever do. And the bravest. It takes a lot of courage to face the facts, stare loss in the face, bare your heart, and let it bleed. But it is the only way to cleanse your wounds and prepare them for healing. God will take care of the rest.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves [with him]. Psalm 126: 5&6

(c) Joy Breaks: Barbara Johnson

1 comment:

  1. Great info!
    I think the ability for women to be more emotional, is a heavy contributing factor as to why their life expectancy is 7 years longer than a man. But recently studies have shown it is now only 5 years.
    When a person refuses the release of emotion that is set aside for them, its like steam in a steam kettle having no release. In-turn that person "snaps". (lol and now they got TV shows about it(Snapped)).
    According to Ecc.3:4 God saw it nesscery to allocate a time to weep, laugh, mourn and dance. Those four things has to do with a release of emotion.
    For men its hard thing for the "manly pride" to swallow. But we got to realize that what the next person thinks of us is not worth dieing over(in the context of what we are discussing). We have to know who and whos we are. Ive learned that's part of growing to become a man, instead of becoming a jelly back, allowing society and media to educate us on how to mantain. All in fear of not being accepted, thus becoming that castaway in society's eyes. We dont have to be that low in self estem. If we are standing on Gods word, we dont have to "go along to get along" with anything or anyone. Lets us look at what God say, instead of what society say. He says we can do anything through Christ Phi.4:13 and the we are Fearfully and wonderfully made Psa.139:14. The word of God was here way before we we were and its still here John1:1. And it has with stood the test of time and everything it was big enough to throw at it. So the thing i choose to fall back on is the tried, tested, proven word of GOD!
    Sorry about your Grandma Rachel, praying God strengthens you and your family during this difficult time Stay blessed!

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