You Are Seen: Encouragement for Teens Who Struggle With Stress and AnxietySample

Day 3: God Knows the Reasons for All Your Tears

God Wipes Away Your Tears
Imagine how gentle you need to be to preserve a teardrop. I know that I couldn’t do it! Sometimes no matter how hard we try, we can’t help crying. The next time you find yourself crying over worries, hurts, or frustrations, remember that God is tender toward your pain.

Psalm 56:8 (NLT) tells us:

You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.

Imagine how gentle you need to be to preserve a teardrop. When we collect something, it’s meaningful to us. Pre­cious. Valuable. God doesn’t just know when we shed tears. He knows why. And if God cares deeply enough to hold on to something as small as the tears we cry, He must care even more deeply about what causes each tear. None of our secret tears are hidden from God. He knows us inside and out. Our sorrows matter to Him. He takes notice because He sees and knows us—all the small and big things that concern us today. And He never ignores our pain!

This is proof that we have an awesome God who truly cares. God doesn’t just know when we shed tears, He knows why. And if God cares deeply enough to hold onto something as small as the tears we cry, He must care even more deeply about the deepest worries that cause each tear. I remind myself that the Lord will never abandon me; the same goes for you. When you find yourself crying over whatever is worrying you, know that God is tender toward your pain and loves you.

Maybe you are the kind of teen who keeps things to yourself. Maybe you resist talking or thinking about your pain because you fear that if you felt the emotions, they would overwhelm you. Take all your sorrows to your Father in heaven. He won’t just listen; He will comfort you and mend your broken heart (see Psalm 34:18). The Bible tells us that when we don’t have words to pray, “the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words” (Romans 8:26, NLT). God receives even our tears and mournful sounds that wouldn’t be considered a “proper” prayer. He hears you. Let Him in and trust Him to comfort you.

Reflect:

Close your eyes and breathe. When you begin to worry or feel alone in your stress, what can you ask God to help you with?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You for wiping the tears from my face when I’m too weak to wipe them myself. I know that You are with me and that You join me in my suffering. You know me, Lord! I pray that You would give me, Your child, peace. Lift me when I am at my all-time low. I know You will help me, and I thank You for caring so deeply. In Jesus’ name, amen.