A Soul Cry (Psalm 107: 4-6, 8-9)

The Power of a Soul Cry: Finding Strength in Vulnerability

In times of deep distress, when our world seems to crumble around us, we often find ourselves at a crossroads. Do we continue to put on a brave face, or do we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and cry out for help? The truth is, there's immense power in what we might call a "soul cry" - a raw, honest outpouring of our pain and need to God.

Many of us have been conditioned to believe that showing emotion, particularly crying, is a sign of weakness. We're told to "be strong," to "keep it together," to always present our best face to the world. But what if this very act of suppressing our true feelings is actually hindering our spiritual and emotional growth?

Consider the words of the Psalmist in Psalm 107:5-6: "Their soul fainted within them. Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble and he delivered them from their distress." This passage reveals a profound truth - it's often in our moments of greatest weakness, when we finally stop trying to be strong on our own, that we open ourselves up to God's strength and deliverance.

God isn't intimidated by our tears. In fact, there's a beautiful song by the Winans that captures God's heart towards our pain:

"When you cry, dear one, makes me cry Loved one, don't you know you never cry alone? When you're sad, this is God talking Dear one, don't you know you're never sad alone?"

This imagery of God crying with us, feeling our pain, and never leaving us alone in our sorrow is incredibly powerful. It reminds us that our tears are not a sign of weakness, but a gift from God - a way to release our pain and connect with Him on a deeper level.

But what exactly causes a soul cry? Often, it's when our reality lies in ruins. When everything we've known and depended on seems to fall apart, leaving us wandering in a wasteland of uncertainty. It's when "normal" is nowhere in sight, and we can't see a path to a brighter future. It's when we lack provision - not just materially, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

In these moments, we have a choice. We can continue to wander, trying to figure things out on our own, or we can cry out to God. And here's the beautiful thing - when we finally release our pain to God, it allows Him to intervene in our situation in ways we couldn't have imagined.

A soul cry changes things. It gives us renewed confidence to give God control. We stop trying to navigate the wasteland on our own and allow God to lead us "by a straight way" to where we need to be. It's not always immediate, and it's not always easy, but it's always worth it.

Moreover, a soul cry often leads to a new appreciation for how God spiritually strengthens us. We begin to see how He satisfies our longing souls and fills us with good things, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

As a community of believers, how should we respond to those experiencing a soul cry? First and foremost, with empathy. We must remember that we've all been there at some point. We've all experienced pain, loss, and uncertainty. Our role is not to judge or offer quick fixes, but to sit with those who are hurting, to cry with them, to remind them that they're not alone.

We should also be ready to share our testimonies. Your story of how God brought you through a difficult time could be the very thing that gives someone else hope. Remember, "Let the redeemed of the Lord say so" (Psalm 107:2). Your testimony is powerful - don't hold it back.

Lastly, regardless of our current reality, we should cultivate an attitude of total thanks. This doesn't mean denying our pain or pretending everything is okay when it's not. Rather, it's about recognizing that even in our darkest moments, God is still good, His love still endures, and He is worthy of our praise.

We thank God in advance of our breakthrough. We thank Him in the middle of our struggle. And we thank Him after He's brought us through. This posture of gratitude keeps our hearts open to God's work in our lives, even when we can't see or understand what He's doing.

In conclusion, there's no shame in a soul cry. It's not a sign of weakness, but a demonstration of faith - faith that God hears us, that He cares, and that He will respond. So if you're in a place of pain today, don't hold it in. Let it out. Cry out to God with all your heart. And if you're not in that place right now, be ready to support those who are.

Remember, God gave us tear ducts for a reason. He's not afraid of our tears or our pain. He's right there with us, feeling every hurt, catching every tear. And He's ready to lead us out of our wasteland into a place of abundance and peace.

So let your soul cry out. Be vulnerable before God and trusted others. Share your testimony. Give thanks in all circumstances. And watch as God turns your mourning into dancing, your sorrow into joy. For He is faithful, He is good, and His love endures forever.