Do not be afraid: God sees your tears

Tears come for any number of reasons: joy, disappointment, sadness, or fear. We try so hard not to cry when we’re afraid. From our youth, it seems we’re told to be brave. Tears are for the weak. But God has a different approach. When the handmaiden Hagar is sent into the wilderness with her young son Ishmael, God brings comfort not judgement. Do not be afraid: God sees your tears.

God heard the boy crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her ‘What is the matter, Hagar? DO NOT BE AFRAID; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there’ (Genesis 21:17).

Fears Bring Tears.

Ishmael’s tears were legit. He knew the emotional rejection of his father Abraham. Both, he, and his mother had been sent away, and now the food and water had run out. He was at the end of himself. Even his mother, Hagar, had abandoned him because she couldn’t handle watching him die.  It is in that moment that God speaks through an angel. Hagar was directed to a well of water for her immediate need, and God offered hope through a promise that her son would live and from him a nation would grow. God didn’t condemn the tears of fear, he stepped in to help.

God doesn’t shame us for our fearful emotions.

Have your fears paralyzed you? Do your day-to-day activities overwhelm you? Do tears spring from a hidden well—from who knows where? Here is a source of encouragement: God doesn’t shame us for our emotion. He pays attention to our fears especially when the reservoir breaks loose. Do your fears bring forth tears?

God hears.                                             

God sees.

And God acts.

He isn’t ignoring you. He’s moving on your behalf.

You’re not alone.

In his words: Do not be afraid.

Phil Moser is the author behind the Biblical Strategies series for personal growth, counseling, and discipleship. His men’s small group study, 4M Training, helps men apply key spiritual growth dynamics. His unique small group videos are beautifully filmed at National Park locations and are offered free of charge. They are an excellent addition to the Biblical Strategies family of resources. His works have been translated into Mandarin, Russian, and German.