5 Ways God Designed Your Tears To Heal Your Soul

This post is about what does the bible say about crying.

Written by a previous trauma therapist, a Licensed Master Social Worker, and current PhD Student learning how to bridge the gap between theology and psychology.

Disclaimer: This post uses affiliate links. I may earn a small commission on purchases (at no extra cost to you).

What does the Bible say about crying? In today’s blog post, we will explore the scientific design around crying, why it actually helps your brain, and 5 unique facts about crying. Now let’s learn what does the Bible say about crying!

Why do we cry?

Psalm 6:6
“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping.”

Mental Health Insight – Whenever we break down crying, we often find ourselves apologizing for the tears. It is common to view our tears as a weakness, but what if I told you there was a significant purpose behind those tears. Emotional tears often contain high concentrations of stress hormones that accumulate during the trauma. After experiencing difficult moments and emotions, your body uses tears to release excess stress hormones. At the same time, crying also stimulates endorphins and oxytocin! So crying isn’t a sign of weakness, it is actually a sign your biological functions are working exactly how God intended them too!

Faith Connection – This Easter week as we start to reflect on the joyful miracle of Christ’s resurrection, let us remember there was significant grief days before. Having faith in Christ does not mean we will not experience hardships and pain, but rather we will be met by Christ in the midst of our agony When the Psalmist admits, “I am worn out… I flood my bed with weeping,”, he is recognizing the heavy pain we can experience throughout this time on earth. However, with grief and tears arise, God does not demand dry eyes. Instead, He understood the weight of this world and designed your body to release that pain, and wants you to draw close during those moments of grief and agony. 

5 Neuroscience Facts about Crying

1. Emotional Tears Are Chemically Unique From a biological standpoint, the tears you cry when you are sad are completely different from the tears that water your eyes when you chop an onion. Neuroscience shows that emotional tears contain high levels of specific stress hormones, like adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH). This means weeping is literally the brain’s physical mechanism for flushing toxic stress out of your body, reflecting a perfect design for emotional cleansing.

2. Crying Activates Your “Rest and Digest” System When you experience intense grief, your brain often enters a panicked “fight-or-flight” state. However, the physical act of crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). This system acts as the brain’s biological emergency brake, slowing down your heart rate and guiding your body back into a state of rest and recovery after heavy emotional trauma.

3. Tears Trigger the Release of Natural Painkillers As emotional tears are shed, the brain releases a powerful surge of oxytocin and endorphins. These specific neurochemicals are the body’s natural painkillers, scientifically proven to soothe both physical aches and emotional agony. This explains the genuine biological sense of calm and “numbing” comfort we often experience after a long period of weeping.

4. Your Brain is Hardwired to Your Tear Ducts The emotional processing center of your brain, known as the limbic system, is physically and directly wired to your lacrimal glands (tear ducts). This means that crying is not a conscious choice or a sign of lost emotional control; it is an automatic, hardwired reflex. God designed the brain to involuntarily trigger tears the moment emotional pain becomes too heavy for words.

5. Tears Act as a Biological Call for Compassion Neuroscience reveals that when humans see someone else crying, it instantly activates “mirror neurons” in the observer’s brain. This biological trigger naturally creates feelings of empathy, urging others to offer comfort and support. Our brains are scientifically wired to respond to tears with compassion, physically reflecting God’s desire for us to bear one another’s burdens in community.

Reflection Question: How does knowing that crying physically flushes stress hormones out of your body change the way you judge yourself for weeping during a difficult season?

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Prayer: Dear God, I confess that I am worn out and the weight of this grief feels incredibly heavy. Forgive me for judging my own sorrow or viewing my tears as a lack of faith. Thank You for designing my body with a way to release the stress I cannot put into words. Meet me in my grief today, and remind me that You sit with me in the dark. Amen

Christian Book Recommendations

“A Grief Observed” by C.S. Lewis – (Faith-Based Resource) Written after the tragic loss of his wife, this deeply personal book offers a profoundly raw and honest look into the disorienting exhaustion that accompanies heavy grief. Lewis beautifully validates the messy, painful reality of sorrow by openly sharing his own emotional agony and spiritual wrestling. Ultimately, this reflective journal provides immense comfort by showing readers that experiencing profound sadness is a natural, unavoidable part of deep love and authentic faith.

“The Wild Edge of Sorrow” by Francis Weller – (Educational Resource) This insightful book explores the profound physical and psychological necessity of actively processing our grief rather than hiding it away. Weller beautifully frames weeping and sorrow not as problems to be fixed, but as vital, life-affirming processes that help the human body physically release emotional trauma. It is a highly comforting read that encourages individuals to embrace their tears as a natural, healthy pathway toward true emotional healing.

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Closing Thoughts

I hope today’s blog post was not only educational but also helped you draw closer to God. If you or someone you know struggling to find peace and want guidance, please connect with a therapist today! Check out TherapyforChristians.com to get connected with a faith-based provider in your area!

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Disclaimer

Educational and Spiritual Support Only: I am not your therapist. The information provided on this blog—including book recommendations, worksheets, biblical insights, coping skills, or any other content on this blog—is for  educational, informational, and spiritual encouragement purposes only. No Professional Relationship Interacting with this content, including leaving comments or sending direct messages, does not create a therapist-client relationship. This blog is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Seek Professional Help: Always seek the advice of your physician or a licensed mental health provider regarding any medical or psychological condition. Never disregard professional advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read here. If you are in a crisis, please contact your local emergency services or a crisis hotline. you all have the best and most blessed day!