The old lumberjack always strode with a purpose. But not today. Today the world clawed at his soul. As the gruff Swedish immigrant trudged up the hill to his family farm, tears rolled down his cheeks. The date was December 7, 1941, and Axel Gustafson had just heard the news of the attack on Pearl Harbor. His sons would be going to war.
My dad was one of those sons. He never forgot the tears of his outdoorsman father. He learned that men with true strength cry too.
King David cut the mold for ruggedness. As a youth he’d killed a lion, a bear, and then of course Goliath—and no, he didn’t use a rifle to do it. He would become the man of whom Israelite women sang, “Saul has killed his thousands, and David his ten thousands” (1 Samuel 18:7). Yet, as the warrior poet, David also displayed an artistic side. In 1 Samuel 20 we read the bittersweet story of David and Jonathan’s friendship. When it became clear that Jonathan’s father King Saul intended to kill David (1 Samuel 20:30-33), the two had an emotional farewell. “Both of them were in tears” (1 Samuel 20:41).
It’s not only a male trait to suppress tears. Women can also cling to stoicism. “I don’t cry,” a female friend told me. Yet the pain in her life was obvious to anyone who knew her.
The ultimate example of a man with true strength was Jesus. He cried over Jerusalem because it would reject Him (Luke 19:41). He cried at the grave of His friend Lazarus (John 11:35). He endured such emotional turmoil the night before His crucifixion that “his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood” (Luke 22:44). Jesus freely showed His emotions.
Our emotions are a gift. They reflect the image of a God who gets angry at evil, and who loves us with all His heart.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: 1 Kings 3:16-28
More:
David’s son Absalom tried to kill him and take his kingdom. Read 2 Sam. 18:24-33 to see how David responded to Absalom's death.
Next:
What triggers your emotions? Do you find yourself suppressing them? If so, why might that be?
Gary Shultz on April 14, 2017 at 4:17 am
Hi Tim: It is good to have had a linage of men/people who cared. Once again I mention getting older, as we reflect on life, we see it with a much different perspective. We see the lives of our children and possibly grandchildren, friends and family, we have experienced how life wears, and how joy was found in other occasions. The richness of relationships and the pangs of seeing evil rip at the people and life we know, unfolding memories and the depth of a soul. Yes, not the young buck scrambling up the hill, but looking over what life has brought us, and we give thanks. Anyone who can spend time in God’s presence without ever being driven to tears of awe and appreciation, needs to get a spiritual pulse check. How moved at God pursuant care for us, how full, lavish and unexhaustible is this enveloping love. To examine this unexplainable power of His feelings to us, and to know a permanent position in His family is before us, moves me. Thanks Tim, have a blessed Resurrection Sunday.
tim gustafson on April 14, 2017 at 6:02 am
You have a blessed Resurrection Sunday too, Gary. Last time I was moved to tears? Singing “How Great Thou Art” earlier this week at Moody Chapel, where my parents used to attend. Axel was so very proud of his boys, but I didn’t really know him. He died when I was an infant. Quite a legacy that man left us!
BearPair on April 14, 2017 at 7:10 am
Excellent reminder Tim, and so true. I believe we, as men, have come a long way; YET, we still have further to go. Those God-created emotions do need a relief valve, don’t they? Have a blessed Resurrection weekend!
tim gustafson on April 14, 2017 at 10:22 am
Yes, Bearpair, and even a warrior like David had a reputation for crying when the situation called for it.
wisenanq on April 14, 2017 at 1:21 pm
since I was 11yrs old and my mother died, I have been told I could not cry, because I had to be strong for everyone els. I am 73 now and still find it hard to cry at times
tim gustafson on April 14, 2017 at 3:13 pm
That was the way so many people are raised, but it isn’t fair. Jesus was the strongest for all of us, and still He cried.
My dad was old school in a lot of ways, but he did show his emotions. He had a soft heart, despite being a combat veteran. But despite all that, I went six years without crying. It wasn’t a good six years.
crossman61 on April 14, 2017 at 2:15 pm
Thanks Tim for a very well written Devotional this morning from a true experience, and Testimony. That’s the best kind of example I like to see more than any other story. True life events always have more meaning to them. The way I was raised, what it means to be a strong man, you do not cry no matter what, or show emotions. Which it took me years to know, this was a wrong way of thinking. All in the forum and any others reading today , may you have a Glorious weekend, celebrating the Victorious Day of our Lords Resurrection. Thanks Tim
tim gustafson on April 14, 2017 at 3:14 pm
Blessings to you too, Crossman. And as the old preacher used to say, “It’s Friday. Sunday’s comin’!”
daughterdeb on April 14, 2017 at 3:21 pm
I am moved to tears that you mention 2 Samuel 18:33. “To say that someone is after your own heart is so say that the person has likes and dislikes similar to your own. You’re a man after my own heart.” (Merriam/Webster). Although I’m not sure I see it referenced as a reason God called David a man after His own heart (1 Sam. 13:14, Acts 13:22) I do believe it was. “And as he went, he cried, “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you! O Absalom, my son, my son.” I consider how many times David said my son. I consider the love I see; a love that outweighs all else. Then I consider all God did to make it possible for me to be his son (child). The love that outweighs all else. I am overcome with emotion. Certainly He died instead of me. Thank you Jesus for the cross.
daughterdeb on April 16, 2017 at 1:09 am
And yet He gave His only begotten Son. Forgive my confused comment. I’ve tried to remove but seem unable so I will reply to myself. I once heard an unsettling (to me) comment about why God would call David a man after His own heart. I set out to do some research in David’s defense but upon reading 2Samuel 18:33 I also got an image of God looking down at David weeping at that moment and saying He understood, “you David, are a man after my own heart.” And yet, He gave His only Son. I love Philippians 3:15.