Is it a Holy Spirit thing?

[HisdaughterJen]

Every time I go to church, I end up with tears rolling down my cheeks constantly.

It's not like I'm upset about anything or purposefully crying. The only emotions I have is love and thankfulness to the Lord and then embarrassment because of all the tears. What's up with that?

Anybody else experience this? I'm a little perplexed and I wonder what would happen if I just completely let go and worshipped God during the prayer/praise/worship service uninhibited...

Even now...I just love Him so much...tears everywhere...what's up with that? Is it an overactive tear duct? :P

[PROPHECYKID]

I guess you are an emotional person. There absolutely wrong with that. Tears that come from Love and thankfulness to God are better than 1000 sermons coming from a dishonest preacher thou he may baptize millions. Your heart is in the right place and that is what is important. I know you may feel embarrassed but think of how God feels when he looks at you from above with a bid smile on his face. Your affection for him assures him that he did not send his son to die in vain. At the end of the day we should please God and not man. You seem to be doing that quite well.

[Albion]

Every time I go to church, I end up with tears rolling down my cheeks constantly.



Seems to me that you're deeply moved by the majesty, greatness, and/or inexplicable love that is God. It's unusual to be SO moved, but everyone's different.

No, it's not an action of the Holy Spirit.

[rushingwind62]

Nothing wrong with showing the Lord how much you love Him. And your tears speak volumes to Him. Not to mention stand as a witness to just how awesome He is. If I was you I would stand up and testify and let the tears flow while you are doing it. Maybe it will be infectious and speak to someone's heart.

[dayhiker]

Hi Jen,
I've no problem thinking that the Holy Spirit is behind your crying. I'd say embrase the crying and to not feel ambarred about them. Continue to be thankful etc.

dayhiker

[WarriorAngel]

O tears of Joy.
Our souls are filled.

Where we cannot contain our Love, they spill out.
:hug:

[Ishida]

Direct result, I don't see why not. Who wills us to God? He does! It's not wrong for one to be able to grasp it all and just be overwhelmed by it. Where I don't get teary eyed, I understand a little how you feel, just how powerful it is to know that you have a father that loves you, and to know how much you love him and how grateful you are for his work in your life and the glory that has been revealed through you. Everyone else made some good posts too. (Especially
WarriorAngel http://www3.christianforums.com/images/userinfo/sup.jpg. That was really nice.)

[Criada]

Your tears are beautiful to God...
Keep loving Him like that, and you will continue to be a blessing to Him.
:hug:

[HisdaughterJen]

Thanks, everyone!

I was a psych major in college and have been sort of a student of human behavior. So, I guess I'm thinking about it more than normal people would.

I have an unusual gift in that I can sense the emotions of other people. It can be very stressful and overwhelming. I don't like to be in large groups of people because of it. Yeah, I know, I'm a weirdo. (Empathic, Highly Sensitive)

Anyway, I'm thinking that I may have been sensing the love/praise/worship for God of so many people in the church as well as my own love and thankfulness during those times of prayer when the tears were really rolling.
It was wonderful and powerfully overwhelming, hence all the inexplicable tears flowing from my eyes that weren't caused necessarily solely by my own personal emotion.

I could be wrong but one thing is certain, I'd never felt it to that extent before and it blew me away.

[godismyabba]

I usually cry during the praise and worship time, sometimes I can't sing at all because I am so choked up. Times like that, I try to really listen to the words, because I believe that is the Holy Spirit within me crying out. This morning they played "How great is our God" by Chris Tomlin on the radio. It was still playing as I got to work. I just sat in the parking lot and cried and sang along. I know God was listening, I believe the tears came from the Holy Spirit saying "YES!!! HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD?? HE IS THE NAME ABOVE ALL NAMES, WORTHY OF ALL PRAISE" I have goosebumps right now. I just think "WOW". Don't be ashamed sister!! Melissa

[desmalia]

Every time I go to church, I end up with tears rolling down my cheeks constantly.

It's not like I'm upset about anything or purposefully crying. The only emotions I have is love and thankfulness to the Lord and then embarrassment because of all the tears. What's up with that?

Anybody else experience this? I'm a little perplexed and I wonder what would happen if I just completely let go and worshipped God during the prayer/praise/worship service uninhibited...

Even now...I just love Him so much...tears everywhere...what's up with that? Is it an overactive tear duct? :P

Welp, I'm one of those terrible unfeeling militant fundies that you've probably heard of...;)
In fact, when I'm under any kind of attack or abuse, I CAN'T cry. It's just how I'm wired.

And I can completely relate to you. I tear up every time I hear a testimony. Every time. Drives me nuts. I'm not generally the kind of person who expresses emotion in public settings. But get someone to share a testimony and I have no control over the liquid pouring out of my eyes.

I struggle with the music part of church too. I can't stand the watered down foo-foo chanting songs in the least and they do nothing but irritate me. I much prefer songs that are full of the "meat" of the Gospel. But on those (sadly rare) occasions when those songs are sung, do you think I can get all they through them? Nope. Not a chance. I get all choked up.

Is it the Holy Spirit? Not sure I'd say exactly that. But I do believe it's the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that allows us to recognize his glory which brings on such strong emotions at times.

Sidenote: it's also really important to remember that emotions are fleeting and even often deceptive things. So don't put too much stock in them. We're all unique individuals, some more emotional than others, and some more emotional in different circumstances than others.

And along those lines I'll share a little story. Years ago a friend and I were under attack by our colleagues for being Christians. They ended up setting up an informal debate (even during work hours) with us. There they proceeded to attack us with all kinds of rude and untrue accusations simply for being Christians. I defended us and our beliefs as best I could. They wouldn't hear a word I said. Their minds were made up. My friend broke down into tears and sobbed uncontrollably. THAT actually shut them up and made them realize the lynch mob mentality they were expressing towards us. Later, she and I were in the bathroom getting ourselves together, and she said she was really mad at herself for crying. LOL, and here I was wishing my natural reaction was to cry! They couldn't even see us as human beings until she showed emotion. Crying can be a good and useful thing.

[HisdaughterJen]

Welp, I'm one of those terrible unfeeling militant fundies that you've probably heard of...;)
In fact, when I'm under any kind of attack or abuse, I CAN'T cry. It's just how I'm wired.

And I can completely relate to you. I tear up every time I hear a testimony. Every time. Drives me nuts. I'm not generally the kind of person who expresses emotion in public settings. But get someone to share a testimony and I have no control over the liquid pouring out of my eyes.

I struggle with the music part of church too. I can't stand the watered down foo-foo chanting songs in the least and they do nothing but irritate me. I much prefer songs that are full of the "meat" of the Gospel. But on those (sadly rare) occasions when those songs are sung, do you think I can get all they through them? Nope. Not a chance. I get all choked up.

Is it the Holy Spirit? Not sure I'd say exactly that. But I do believe it's the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that allows us to recognize his glory which brings on such strong emotions at times.

Sidenote: it's also really important to remember that emotions are fleeting and even often deceptive things. So don't put too much stock in them. We're all unique individuals, some more emotional than others, and some more emotional in different circumstances than others.

And along those lines I'll share a little story. Years ago a friend and I were under attack by our colleagues for being Christians. They ended up setting up an informal debate (even during work hours) with us. There they proceeded to attack us with all kinds of rude and untrue accusations simply for being Christians. I defended us and our beliefs as best I could. They wouldn't hear a word I said. Their minds were made up. My friend broke down into tears and sobbed uncontrollably. THAT actually shut them up and made them realize the lynch mob mentality they were expressing towards us. Later, she and I were in the bathroom getting ourselves together, and she said she was really mad at herself for crying. LOL, and here I was wishing my natural reaction was to cry! They couldn't even see us as human beings until she showed emotion. Crying can be a good and useful thing.
WOW, I can't even imagine that...and at work too! Did they back off for good or do they treat you two any differently?

My sister-in-law said that she thinks the tears are a form of worship.

Yes, emotions are fleeting. That's what was weird about it. I wasn't feeling any emotions that cause crying, yet tears were rolling down my cheeks nearly uncontrollably. Maybe it was joy, maybe it was just being thankful and in love with God...I don't know but it brought a lot of tears.

[desmalia]

WOW, I can't even imagine that...and at work too! Did they back off for good or do they treat you two any differently?

My sister-in-law said that she thinks the tears are a form of worship.

Yes, emotions are fleeting. That's what was weird about it. I wasn't feeling any emotions that cause crying, yet tears were rolling down my cheeks nearly uncontrollably. Maybe it was joy, maybe it was just being thankful and in love with God...I don't know but it brought a lot of tears.
Actually I was fired a week or two later. No reason given. I was young and didn't think to dispute it. My friend was fired a little later on. They claimed she stole money when she was cashing out (which she would NEVER do).

[edb19]

Every time I go to church, I end up with tears rolling down my cheeks constantly.

It's not like I'm upset about anything or purposefully crying. The only emotions I have is love and thankfulness to the Lord and then embarrassment because of all the tears. What's up with that?

Anybody else experience this? I'm a little perplexed and I wonder what would happen if I just completely let go and worshipped God during the prayer/praise/worship service uninhibited...

Even now...I just love Him so much...tears everywhere...what's up with that? Is it an overactive tear duct? :P

can't say it happens often - but it's happened to me on occasion:

certain hymns always bring a tear to my eyes (Amazing Grace, How Great Thou Art, Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee)
prayer when we recognize all our Father has done for us
sometimes the teaching even causes some tears - often if it touches an issue that has been pressing on me of late

[SolomonVII]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnIdnc5YiIg&mode=related&search=

[Angeldove97]

I get the tears for no reason---though I'm usually feeling very peaceful at the same time--- when I go pray in front of the Blessed Sacrament at St. Patrick's Cathedral in the front of the church. That's my "sacred spot"--- I go there every time I can while in NYC :)

[JPPT1974]

I always thought that the Holy Spirit
Indwells inside of us through God the Father
Through Jesus Christ our Savior & Lord!
For all that He has done for us and
Why He died on the cross and risen from the dead
Saving us from eternal separation and from our sins.