Rejoice Together—Weep Together

Romans 12:15

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15 NRSV)

Expressing joy has never been a problem for me. I like to dance. I love to laugh. I enjoy spending time with family and friends. If you invite me to the party, I can celebrate with the best of them. But crying is another story.

As a child, I would cry at the drop of a hat. Whether mad or sad, upset or confused, I wasn’t afraid to express my emotions because I saw my family freely express theirs. But over time, as I grew into adulthood, I began to suppress my feelings of anger, frustration, and disappointment for fear that I wouldn’t be able to control it. I was afraid that if I started crying, I may never stop.

Even now when asked to walk with people as they experience intense loss, endure excruciating pain, and suffer horrific tragedies, at times I’m tempted to retreat because I’m not sure if I can handle the unknown, the questions, the pain. But then I’m reminded of this verse that shows us that there is no prescription for these moments.

There is no patch or magic potion that will fit every situation. I remember that I don’t have to have all the answers. We are just called to be with those who rejoice and those who weep—to be with them as God came and still comes to be with us. This verse reminds us that we are to be with them in whatever season they’re in and gently remind them that it’s OK to be human.

It’s OK to experience the full range of emotions—that we’re with them as they sit with the hurt, the anger, the questions, and even the silence. We’re better together in the good times and the bad. Joy comes with knowing you have a community to do life with, and you’re not in it alone.

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