The biblical holiday known as Tisha B Av (9th of Av) is fast approaching. This year it will begin at sundown July 22, 2026 and end at sundown on July 23.

The biblical month of Av usually falls in July or August each year on the Gregorian calendar.  The month of Av is associated with weeping, fasting, and mourning because it was on the 9th of Av that the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed. This happened not just once, but TWICE. The first Temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. by the Babylonians and the second Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. by the Romans.  Both years this happened on the 9th of AV, also known as Tisha B Av on the biblical calendar. Because of these tragedies, Tisha B Av is regarded as the saddest day on the Hebrew calendar. For more info about this, please click on this link.

Each year when the 9th of Av arrives on the calendar, observant Jews from all around the world will go into a state of mourning. Tears of profound sadness will be shed because of the tremendous losses that have occurred on that day. There are other horrible things that happened on the 9th of Av throughout history such as the Inquisitions in Spain and England, where the Jewish people were expelled from their homeland. Additionally, the First Crusade was declared by Pope Urban II in 1095 on the 9th of Av –consequently, 10,000 Jews were killed in the first month, and thousands more as the Crusades continued. World War 1 began on this date as well in 1914. Deportations from the Warsaw Ghetto in the Treblinka concentration camps began in 1942 on the 9th of Av. Going back to biblical times, the spies returned from the Promised Land with a bad report on the 8th of Av. That evening, as the 9th of Av arrived, the people cried and insisted that it was better for them to go back to Egypt than to go into the Promised Land.

Some people might say that the process of crying or weeping is not important, or necessary. But truthfully, it is essential in God’s economy. The Lord looks favorably upon those who mourn, and He even keeps track of our tears. Below is an image illustrating Psalm 56:8……..

Isn’t it amazing to know that God collects all of our tears? He keeps track of each one that is shed. But why would the scripture say that He collects them in a bottle? Actually, there’s an interesting reason. When David wrote Psalm 56, he was familiar with the traditions of the day. During biblical times Jewish women and men collected their tears in vessels made of glass, tera cotta, or alabaster jars. Also known as lachrymatory bottles, they were used to catch a grieving person’s tears. Oftentimes, they were poured out to God during worship as a sign of faith. In some instances, a person would cry into the bottle or jar after a loved one had passed away. After the vessel was filled, it was buried with the person who died.

The Bible is filled with illustrations and verses about those who weep. Consider the books of Job, Habakkuk, and Lamentations, which are teeming with the cries of the grief-stricken, and those who mourned over sin and loss. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet because of the constant tears he shed over the impending destruction of Jerusalem, and the stubborn sins of his people. This devoted man of God foresaw the destruction of the Temple that would occur on the 9th of Av and this often overwhelmed him with sadness.

As Christians we don’t weep over the Temples that were destroyed because we know that the Temple lives within us. Our bodies are the Temple of the Holy Spirit which is the Lord’s presence dwelling inside our hearts. Of course, the majority of Jewish people today do not receive Jesus as their Savior so they do not realize that even though the Temple is no longer standing, they can still have access to the Father in the most powerful way possible.

While not everyone may be weeping over the Temples that were destroyed, we all weep about something. In fact, for this blogpost, I want to focus on the importance of shedding tears before the Lord.

Isaiah 53 reveals that Jesus knew great pain, sorrow, and suffering.

He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all, Isaiah 53:3-6.

Jesus and the Father are one and thus, we know that God grieves just like His Son.

In His loving wisdom the Lord foreknew that His people would need a way to release the pressure, disappointment, and stress that comes with living in a fallen world. That’s why He invented crying and tears.

A few years ago I wrote an article for Intercessors for America where I explained the science behind tears and why every human being needs to cry. In fact, it’s a healthy thing to do. As the season of Av (especially the 9th of Av) arrives, we should all remember that pouring out our tears before the Lord is an act of worship and humility. Whether we are crying out of repentance, grief, sadness, disappointment, or maybe even joy, it’s ok to be honest with God about how we feel.

We should always run to Jesus with our pain. As we cry our hearts out, He hears us. He understands us. He loves us. A pastor at my church says, “You can’t put your pain behind you unless you put it in front of Jesus first.”

Below is the article that explains why we should shed those tears. I hope it will speak to your heart and remind you that you can let it all out before Jesus. He is catching every single tear.

The Value of Your Tears

Beloved one, the Word of God provides assurance that every tear you’ve shed has not been in vain. The King of Kings holds each one in his hand, all the while carrying your burdens on his shoulders. These tears are more than just drops of salty water. Born out of great care for humans, God fashioned tears with a special design and purpose. Far more than a physical response, the act of crying brings miraculous benefits to the body and soul.  

You have kept track of my every toss and turn through the sleepless nights, Each tear entered in your ledger, each ache written in your book (Psalm 56:8 MSG).

Is this verse difficult to comprehend or believe? Could it really be true that God is aware of every tear that has trickled down our faces, as well as the circumstances behind each painful drop?

Recently, my eyes were opened to the importance of tears and why God created them. At the time I had been overwhelmed by the stresses of life, as well as the current political and global turmoil in our world. As a writer, it’s part of my job to research the dark agendas wreaking havoc in our society. At one point, the weight of the information became too much. Unable to hold back my distress, I broke down in tears. Another person witnessed my small outburst and quickly told me that crying would only make the situation worse. They emphasized that my actions were causing more stress to my body and the best thing I could do is to take charge of my emotions. I quickly shut off the tears, feeling rather embarrassed.

For many months after this encounter, I resisted the urge to cry. I thought that maybe I needed a thicker skin, as well as a heart that wasn’t so easily affected by life’s ups and downs. But something happened that I didn’t expect. During this time, I noticed my blood pressure slowly going up. This was very unusual for me because it had always been low and steady. My diet, exercise routine, and lifestyle had not changed, but something else had. In actuality, I was keeping my frustration and sadness bottled up and locked down tight. Even worse, I was not releasing any of it to God. All the while it was building up like a soda can that had been shaken with great force.

My mind went back to the person who told me that crying would only make things worse. As I meditated on their words, the Holy Spirit spoke very clearly to me. There is healing in your tears. At that moment, I realized that perhaps I should do some research on tears and what God has to say about them.

Tears are More Than Just Salt and Water

An article titled “The Miracle of Tears” posted by Answers in Genesis revealed some amazing facts which showcased God’s grand design within human tears. While the most obvious function of tears is to lubricate your eyes, this is only one of many purposes instilled by our Creator. Interestingly enough, tears are more than just moisture because they’re a key component to achieving optimal health, and a positive mental state. God’s blueprint for tears highlights not just His intelligence, but also His mercy and ingenuity. Foreseeing that in a fallen world humans would encounter many pressures, disappointments and stresses in daily life, He made not just one kind of tear, but three. These drops of water would accomplish more than just the physical task of sustaining and maintaining the health of the eyes. They would provide healing to the heart.

Not All Tears are Created Equal

Scientists have discovered that God did not design all tears alike. While they are all secreted by a network of glands, sacs and ducts, their specific purposes are different. Reflex tears clean away harmful debris from your eyes such as dust, smoke, foreign bodies or strong fumes, whereas basal tears act as an essential shield against dryness, protecting your cornea from damage. It is the third type, however, which demonstrates God’s never-ending compassion.

Tears Help Humans Cope with Stress

Known as emotional tears, these drops remove chemicals, stress hormones, and toxins from the body that have been built up during times of hardship, tension or trauma. Moreover, researchers have found that emotional tears also release oxytocin and endorphins, both of which help with physical and emotional pain. Answers in Genesis explains, “Suppressing tears increases stress levels, and contributes to diseases aggravated by stress, such as high blood pressure, heart problems and peptic ulcers.” Repressive coping, (which includes holding back our tears) can lead to anxiety, depression, and a compromised immune system.

Interestingly enough, only humans shed emotional tears — their presence can increase attachment behaviors which encourage closeness and support from family and friends. Crying isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather an indication that the heart is working out stressful emotions and circumstances.

Jesus Shed Tears

Jesus knew about crying, weeping and extreme mental anguish. Before his arrest and crucifixion, he felt a deep pain that no human can truly comprehend.

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground (Luke 22:44).

One of the shortest verses in the Bible powerfully states, Jesus wept (John 11:35). Jesus’s friend Lazarus had died and although he knew he could raise his friend back to life, he invariably understood the emotional turmoil that death brings to mankind.

Jesus also wept over Jerusalem. He knew that God’s holy city, temple, and its people would experience great destruction and bloodshed. Not one stone would be left upon another because the people did not recognize the coming of their Messiah.

Jesus understood deep sadness.

He understood political and global turmoil.

He understood sin, betrayal, injustice suffering, and death.

Jesus shed tears and so do we. After all, we are created in His image.

Beloved child of God, don’t hold back your tears. The Living Water, Jesus Christ, is holding out his hands to catch them all.

Revelation 21:3-5 declares that God will wipe away every tear from our eyes. One day there will be no mourning, crying, or pain. The former things shall pass away.

Until then we must live in this broken world where tears will flow like streams of living water. But take heart beloved one, because in the future, all those tears will turn to joy.

Do you believe it? I pray you do!

Lord Jesus, thank you for the miraculous gift of tears, which bring healing to our body and soul. May each drop remind us of your lovingkindness, and the promise of eternal happiness and restoration.

I hope that you never forget that Jesus is always ready to catch your tears. You aren’t required to have a special jar, but you do need an open heart that is willing to lay it all out before Him. Bring your brokenness to God and He will comfort and restore you— one tear at a time.