Appreciating Tears: The Surprising Benefits of Crying

The sky turns grey, the rain starts to fall, and for most people, the automatic response is to complain. Few really appreciate the rain; most find it inconvenient.

I grew up in a farming community where the reaction to rain was rather different — they knew that without rain, there couldn’t be growth. The difference in attitude to the rain was the difference in understanding its necessity.

As I look out at the rain running down my window pane, I can’t help but draw the analogy that tears are much the same. Rain isn’t negative, and neither are tears! Share on X

Why Tears Matter: Designed to Cry

The Divine Purpose and Science of Tears

Most people don’t like to cry, and certainly don’t like others seeing them when they are emotional, yet tears are scientifically proven to make you feel better. We often use the phrase ‘have a good cry’ because even though your eyes go puffy, your nose turns red, and you don’t look your most attractive, crying is good for you — both physically and emotionally.

There are three types of tears

• Basal tears, which keep our eyes lubricated and healthy.
• Reflex tears, which wash away dust or irritants
• Emotional tears, released when we experience deep feelings such as grief, joy, or relief

I didn’t realise, until I did a bit of digging, that each has a slightly different chemical makeup. Studies from the Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Health show that emotional tears contain higher levels of stress-related hormones like adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and leucine enkephalin, which is a natural painkiller. Isn’t that amazing! This explains why ‘crying it out’ often makes us feel calmer — it is literally a biochemical release of tension.

That’s not all! Tears released when someone is emotional also contain more protein and manganese, both of which are associated with mood regulation and overall mental health and well-being. In simple terms, when you cry, your body is helping you recalibrate.

Here is something else really clever: the added proteins in emotional tears make the tears thicker. When they are thicker, they don’t evaporate so quickly. Why is that important? The tears linger just long enough for someone else to notice they are there. This provides the opportunity for someone to offer comfort. This small detail is a subtle reminder that we were designed for connection, even our tears invite empathy. Yet, somehow, we’ve been conditioned to believe we need to cry in private, as if, somehow, tears are shameful. 

Another fun fact is that the extra manganese and other trace elements may also help balance the brain’s chemistry after intense emotion. Have you ever had a ‘good cry’ and felt lighter, or more clear-headed? Crying has been designed that way — it isn’t a weakness, it’s a built-in mechanism for your body and mind to reset after stress. 

In everyday life, this means that when you feel overwhelmed and ‘leak’ tears, you don’t need to be embarrassed, fight to hold them back, or apologise for them. They are your body’s way of helping you release those things that are so deep within you that words can’t express them. It’s the same wisdom we see reflected in Scripture — God not only allows tears, but he uses them to bring comfort, emotional balance and renewal. 

Designed to Feel: God’s Intentional Release Mechanism

While science may prove that crying is beneficial, we need to remember that God is the designer. God, who made us in His image, knew we would need a release mechanism to offload our emotions.

Psalm 55 paints a vivid picture of the emotional turmoil as David wrestles with anxiety and betrayal. In his distress, David reminds himself to ‘cast’ all his cares and worries on the Lord. That act of releasing emotion — physically, mentally, and spiritually — is part of the healing process.

In Psalm 56, we get another insight into how David coped with difficult situations.  David, the warrior-king, who faced Goliath, also faced moments of deep despair. David, the hero, often felt like a failure. He had enemies, and he could cope with that, but when his friends betrayed him, it hurt him deeply, and the mighty warrior wept. I get the impression that he cried a lot!

Psalm 56:8 (ESV)

‘You have kept count of my tossings, put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?’

What a beautiful image — God collecting our tears as if they are precious to Him. It seems like every tear is noted, remembered and treasured. He cares about us when we go through sleepless nights, heartache and pain so much so that he stores the evidence of it.

Tears: A Sign of Healing and Hope

The Bible is full of tears — not as a sign of weakness, but of humanity, compassion and faith.

• John 11:35 — ‘Jesus wept.’
  Although this is the shortest verse in Scripture, it speaks volumes. Two words say it all! Jesus, the Son of God, knowing He would raise Lazarus, still paused to feel the pain and sorrow of those around Him. In a sense, His tears validated their tears.
• Psalm 126:5 — ‘Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy.’
  Tears are seasonal; they are not the end of the story — they are seeds of transformation. What feels like unbearable sorrow can bring forth joy and growth later.
• Revelation 21:4 — ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes.’
  This verse brings so much hope. Tears may fall, but they will not last forever. It’s also evidence of God’s personal care in the process.

After the Rain Comes Growth

If you are in a dark place right now, remember — it’s okay to cry. Just as after the rain, growth comes; after your sorrow, the sun will come out. Not a single tear will be wasted, joy will return, and you will have grown through the process.

Psalm 126:5 Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! Share on X

Expect new growth. 

Pause for thought

Have you ever felt like your tears brought you closer to God — or led to unexpected growth?

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