When I think of seeing my dad in heaven, I imagine a joyful reunion with much laughter. I imagine he may have a new joke or two, or perhaps want to show me some really fascinating aspects of heaven that nobody would have ever thought of here.
Maybe we’d talk about football, or a few of the more bizarre events that happened on earth after he died in 2019.
When I think of seeing my mom in heaven for the first time, though, all I can imagine myself doing is crying. To see her whole, standing up straight and tall, completely free from all the fears and worries that hampered her on earth. To hug her, to tell her how much I love her, to thank her for not holding the self-centeredness and self-absorption of my earlier years against me.
It seems like all of that would trigger an onslaught of emotion that could only be expressed in tears. It’s the only possible reaction I can imagine.
But the Bible says there won’t be any tears in heaven, right? There it is, near the end of scripture: “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.” (Rev. 21:4, NASB)
Perhaps this has to do with tears of grief, pain and sadness. But what about tears of joy? Will our heavenly bodies not include the ability to be so happy we could cry, as the saying goes?
I kinda hope not. But let’s not take my word for it.
In his book Heaven, Randy Alcorn writes that Revelation 21:4 “primarily addresses not tears per se but the tears coming from injustice and sorrow.”
As a result, “We might shed tears of joy in Heaven,” he explains. “Can you imagine joy flooding your eyes as you meet Christ, for example, and as you’re reunited with loved ones? I can.”
We are designed by God to be emotional beings, Alcorn says, and while our feelings have been “bent by sin,” they will “forever be straightened again when God removes the Curse.”
In other words, we will be able to feel healthy emotions intensely and freely, in a way that reflects our creation in God’s image. Maybe we’ll cry actual tears, or perhaps our heavenly bodies will express emotion in a way we can’t even envision right now—a way that is different and infinitely better than what we experience here on earth.
The truth is, there are some things our human minds simply can’t know. As my dad once told me, we’re sort of like caterpillars contentedly munching away on tomato plants, with no possible way to imagine the transformation that’s about to happen to them.
“A caterpillar just can’t understand butterflies, even though it’s going to be one,” he explained. “The Bible says we don’t know what we will be like, but we will know what we will be when we see Him.”
In the meantime, we rest in knowing that “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (I Cor. 2:9, NKJV)
And we look forward to reunions with loved ones who have gone before us that are joyous and beautiful, tears or not.
♥ Lois
Will our heavenly bodies include the ability to be so happy we could cry? I kinda hope so. #tearsinheaven Share on X In heaven, we will be able to feel healthy emotions intensely and freely, in a way that reflects our creation in God’s image. #tearsinheaven Share on XP.S. I’m linking up this week with Sweet Tea & Friends, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.
22 comments
I have often wondered this myself. But never the less. God gave us the eternity thru his son who died on the cross tho make this at all possible to reunited with out loved one and to never seperate again. Now that worth praising the lor aaout
Amen, Sandra! 🙂
I like to think there will be tears of joy in heaven too. I’m sure it will be an amazing experience to be reunited with our loved ones and to see them free of the pain and burdens they carried here on earth.
I agree 100 percent, Lesley.
We both wrote about our mothers this week. The first few years after my mother died, she had Alzheimer’s even in my dreams. But the past few years she’s been healthy and whole again when I dream about her. It’s been a grace to “see” her that way again, and yes, to look forward to its reality in heaven.
Aw, Lisa … that is such a blessing that your dreams have changed. I loved your post about your mom … she sounds a lot like mine. ♥️
This made me smile. I’m not sure either, but I’m excited to find out. And it’s a lovely thought as someone who cries more often feeling joy than sorrow. (I know, weird! Tears just come more naturally with laughter to me!) Thanks for this, Lois!
I don’t think that’s weird at all, Bethany! ❤️
I never thought of having tears of joy in heaven, Lois, but it makes sense. My mom also was hampered by fears and worries on this earth, and it’s a joy to think she’ll never have depression in heaven. Your dad sounds like a deep-thinking, wise man. Thank you for this touching post! Love and blessings to you, my friend!
Thank YOU, Trudy. I wish you and Len could have met my parents … especially my dad. You all would have enjoyed each other, I think. 🙂 I share your joy at the thought of our moms free from depression and anxiety in heaven! Hugs, friend.
Lois, I’m having trouble getting my words out to tell you how you touched my soul today. Thanks for helping me to understand the facet of this. Tears of joy, Amen.
Thank you for linking up with Sweet Tea & Friends this month.
Aw, Paula … I’m so glad to hear this this little post touched your soul. Hugs, friend.
I never thought of the possibility of tears of joy in heaven …
I like to think it’s possible. I guess that will be one more thing to discover about how heaven really works!
That’s an interesting thought, that we might experience emotions differently in heaven. I never thought about that before. I agree with Randy Alcorn that the tears that will be wiped away are probably the kind that go along with sorrow, pain, and mourning.
But I also notice they’ll be wiped away there. Maybe they don’t just disappear or refuse to form, but at some point–maybe when we see Jesus?–He’ll wipe them away for good.
Hmmm … that adds another layer to this, Barbara. As my dad would say, “I guess we’ll see.” 😊
Lois, your beautiful thoughts touch me deeply, because I believe there will be tears in heaven; tears of JOY. The context of the verse you quoted is in the context of suffering, as God wiping away the tears of grief, pain, and travail which will not exist in heaven.
But then again I have always viewed tears of JOY and even grief as the overflow of love from a full heart. For we cannot grieve what we did not love. Yes, my friend I believe rivers of JOY will flow from the tears of the saints reunited with those loved ones waiting for us there.
Oh Donna … I love the thoughts you have expressed here. “We cannot grieve what we did not love.” That’s so true, and such a comforting thought.
Great post! I love the caterpillar/butterfly analogy! I tend to agree that we will be able to express positive emotion, possibly even in new ways!
Wouldn’t that be cool, Anita? So good to hear from you this week!
I am a crier – tears of joy, tears of sadness, tears for the pain of others, tears at movies. Lois, you have encouraged me today that our tears will also one day be redeemed, they too will be healthy. Maybe that is why our God stores them in a bottle. Not one is wasted with our God, each drop is meaningful.
Aw, Joanne … that’s a precious thought. I’m so glad you were encouraged, dear friend. ♥️