Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy! He who goes out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:5, 6 ESV)

The psalmist not only reflected back on the faithfulness of God who had brought them out of bondage, he also spoke prophetically of the day when the tears of God’s people would be replaced with laughter and joy – forever!

The bible is clear regarding the difficult times we face. Jesus Himself said, “In this world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world!”

Everyone, at some time or another, experiences the tears of life – the challenging, character-testing, life-altering moments during which we grasp for hope, peace, and joy. Believers are not exempt from these times.

The question is, how will you respond?

Recently I spoke with a young lady who is walking through a time of tears. When she found out she was pregnant, her boyfriend abandoned her because she would not abort her baby. A short time later she miscarried.

Yesterday I prayed for a woman who has been diagnosed with cancer. The doctors have given her a short time to live.

A married man in his late forties/early fifties has, in the last several years, faced anxiety and depression. His career, his marriage, his family, and his well-being have all suffered.

We all face challenges in life that strike deeply and bring us to the brink of tears, whether inwardly or outwardly.

How, then, should you respond?

It is very important that you hear this. Seasons of sorrow must be seen as seasons of “sowing.”

We “sow” with our words, specifically by lining up our words with God’s word and declaring it by faith.

Joy is released through your words of faith.
Joy is released through your songs of praise.
Joy is released through your shout of victory.

Those who, despite the tears, choose to sow words of faith will, in due season, reap a harvest of laughter, joy, and peace.

The fruit of the spirit begins with seeds of faith. Love begins as a seed. Joy begins as a seed. Peace begins as a seed.

Your tears can be turned into a water supply, causing the seed of God’s word to open up and become fruitful.

Do not sorrow, as if there is no hope. The joy of The Lord is your strength. Your harvest is only one season away from your sowing.

If you will sow in tears, you will reap in joy!

Father,

I pray for those who are fighting back tears. May those tears never hold them back from sowing seeds of faith. And may those seeds become a harvest of joy and laughter, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.