It’s Okay To Cry

In my distress I called to the LORD; I cried to my God for help. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came before him, into his ears.

Psalm 18:6 (NIV)

Howdy Shay!

'Taking a breath' goes well beyond just your college days, and you laid that out perfectly! Adulting beyond college has not gotten any easier, in fact, quite the opposite. A good daily reminder is to breath, I would suggest you still and try and keep that advice (lol ;) ). As I was thinking about these moments of breathing, it brought me to humbling times with the Lord, and particularly, speaking for guys, one that isn't talked about enough - crying.

During busy semesters when I would remind myself that I am only just a human, and not a productivity robot, I would try and slow down and just be still. In these moments, everything would catch up to me, the suppression of stress, anxiety, and other emotions would flood my system, and I would start to cry. Typically, also in these moments of being still is when I would also meet with the Lord, and as you can imagine, not a lot would be said. Yet, the Lord still knew my needs and cared for them.

As silly as this sounds, but yes, it's okay to cry. I've had multiple embarrassing moments where I've cried in front of my research professor, advisor, and other professors - I can tell you that it will be okay. With my note towards guys, there has been a stigma, even outside of the church, that men are supposed to be strong and courageous. The world will tell you that crying and other types of these emotions are a sign of weakness. I and many others would disagree. Jesus wept. One of the most strongest, courageous humans, yea he wept. Showing emotion, the Lord designed us and crying has a purpose.

These times for stillness, just like what you had mentioned Shay, take a breath, are so good for reflection, and when tears come, just remember Psalm 46:10, he is still God.

With Love,

CJL