Why are you crying? Twelve reasons – one solution.

Why are you crying?                                    

                     Twelve reasons – one solution.



Why are you crying? Is it because:

-      your child has become a prodigal, wondering far from God?

-      you’ve received a terrifying diagnosis for yourself or a loved-one?

-      you’re overwhelmed and exhausted with circumstances of life?

-      you or a loved one is struggling with addiction?

-      the chaos in your home is out of control?

-      frustrations of world events seem unresolvable?

-      of fear that lost loved-ones won’t receive Jesus’ salvation before it’s too late?

-      your child is leaving home and you’re concerned about snares and dangers that lurk in the unknown.

-      your spouse has fallen out of love with you?

-      your financial situation seems hopeless?

-      you’re pregnant, unmarried, and don’t know where to turn?

-      your friend has betrayed you?

—just to name a few reasons.  

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You’ve heard about the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. But, do you remember His first recorded words after being quickened back to life?



Mary Magdalene was the first to encounter the risen Christ. She had found His tomb empty and began to cry, for she didn’t know who had taken Him nor where they had laid Him. Bewildered and with tear filled eyes, she turned to go, when there, standing before her, was Jesus. But she didn’t recognize Him. 


He said, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” (John 20:15).

She still didn’t realize it was beloved teacher and friend.


Then He spoke her name, “Mary.”


Instantly, she knew Him. There He stood, alive and well. Her grief, anxiety, and tears turned to joy, peace, and hope. He was right there and concerned about her tears. And He had a plan. 

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What are the things that make you cry? What causes tears to well up in your eyes? What thoughts cause some degree of anxiety to prick your soul?



Easter is approaching. Our celebration of Resurrection Day will soon be here. 


Let’s allow the truth and hope of Christ’s resurrection redeem our emotions from the downward pull of those things which bring us to tears.


He is risen! He has come to set the captives free. He is here and He has a plan.

For His followers, the resurrection of Jesus trumpets authentic truth. The sting of death has been eradicated and the grave will not hold us. And there’s more. In addition to eternal life, joy and hope are resurrected in us as well.


“Women, man, why are you crying? Whom are you seeking?”


When you come face with the risen Christ you have found the One you’re looking for whether you recognize Him or not. Listen. He’s calling your name—my name. He has come to resurrect life and joy. He’s right here.

Tell Him why you’re weeping—why you soul is vexed. He has come that you (we) may have life and have it in abundance (John 10:10). 


True story: Just a few days ago, I spoke with a woman who poured out her heart, with tears streaming. Her husband was chronically ill. She feared for the life and well-being of her alcoholic son. Her eight-and-a-half-month pregnant granddaughter, a drug addict, was in jail. My goodness! We can understand her tears. Any one of those situations could provoke weeping. 


This troubled woman was asking for prayer, turning to God for answers. She was seeking the right person. Only God has the answers to all her concerns and she is trusting Him to resurrect life in her loved-ones, as well as hope and peace in her own soul. 


Jesus said, “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” (John 10:10 NKJV).


God created tears as a means of releasing emotion. But He doesn’t want our tears of sadness and fear to be the end point of our trials. 


Jesus gave His life so we may have life, both now and into Eternity. He’s alive—resurrected from the grave. Abundant life comes when we cast our cares on Him, confident He hears us and, when we do things His way, will work things out for our good (1 Peter 5:7; Philippians 4:6-9; Romans 8:28).

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When we focus on Jesus and God’s Word our worries and fears tend to fade away. Jesus wants us to trust Him.   


As we enter the Easter season, and beyond, let’s remember Jesus’ question, “Why are you weeping?” 


When anxiety of any kind arises, lets tell Him about it because He cares. He loves us with unfailing love; He has the right answers; and He has a plan.


So, Rejoice! And be mindful of these truths during this season and all of your days. 


Thank you for reading my blog post today. Think of a time when God has helped you move from weeping to peace. Feel free to share your experience below if you’d like. Your comments are welcome. 


©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford

Stop! Don’t Follow Your Heart.

Stop! Don’t Follow Your Heart.                     



We’ve heard it said, “Follow your heart.” We may have even said it ourselves.

I’ve seen people follow their hearts and jump right off cliffs. You probably have too.


I’ve cried with the bewildered husband of a young mother who followed her heart half way across the country to hook up with her on-line boyfriend. Her little girls couldn’t understand why their mommy was gone. 


I witnessed a man enthusiastically put his entire nest egg into a business opportunity that eventually failed. He lost it all, but was following his heart. 


I smiled at the cuteness, watching a sweet family adopt a couple of adorable puppies they had neither time nor resources to care for. The pups became dogs and were sadly neglected within a couple years, but those parents had followed their hearts.    


When the extra-marital affair of the father of four teenagers was exposed, he lost his home and family, shattering his wife and the vulnerable youth. Besides that, the husband of his mistress kicked her out, leaving her estranged from her infant and toddler. Six children were broken because the guilty pair were following their hearts.


We’ve watched the bride and groom take their vows and wave goodbye, embarking on an amazing honeymoon. The wedding was lavish and fun but the marriage ended in a train wreck just a couple years later. With starry eyes and intense passion, they were following their hearts. 


You know the stories. You’ve witnessed them too in the lives of friends and family—perhaps even in your own experience. Our human tendency is to jump right into situations that excite our hearts.

Photo by Connie Wohlford

The heart is the seat of our emotions. That fact alone could elicit a red flag if we’re paying attention. Our wiser self knows it’s imprudent to make life-changing decisions based on emotions. 


Jeremiah 17:9 warns us: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” This passage should bring pause before we take the J.U.M.P.—Justify Unhealthy Momentary Pleasure. 


So, what are we to do? We’re human beings with human emotions. God made us that way. Yes, He did, but He never intended for us to be dominated by our emotions. His plan is to renew our hearts—giving us a heart that’s pliable in His hands (Ezekiel 36:26) so we can learn to do things His way and follow His lead. That’s not to suggest He will be like a dictator, lording over us. But with a heart captivated by our Savior, Jesus, our desires and passions will line up with what God wants for us. That is abundance of life, unexplainable peace, and unspeakable joy. 


Instead of following our own hearts, we can follow the heart of our Creator who knows what’s best for each of us in every situation. The Bible has much to say about the heart and how to maintain it. 

Here are some passages that will help us learn to follow after the heart of our Heavenly Father:


“Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You” (Psalm 119:11 NKJV).


“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5 NKJV).


“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).


“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10 NKJV).


Jesus said, “Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8 NKJV).


As we observe life experiences—both ours and those of others—as well as the encouragement of Scripture, like the ones above, we know that our hearts play a major roll in where we go in life. Let’s each endeavor to do as the psalmist and seek God with our whole heart (Psalm 119:2, 10). In doing so we will be blessed and live abundantly.

Next time you yearn to follow your heart—stop! Don’t J.U.M.P. Be careful not to Justify Unhealthy Momentary Pleasure. Check in with the Holy Spirit. Inquire of God’s Word. Pray about it and follow the leading of the Lord. Ultimately, you’ll find peace and joy and not be burdened with regret. 


©Copyright 2019 Connie Wohlford