Ways to Cope

Don’t hold back the tears! Crying helps ease the pain of grief. However, you may feel the way Alicia did, who was 19 when her mother passed away. She relates, “I felt that if I showed too much emotion, it would seem to others that I lacked faith.” But think: Jesus Christ was a perfect man who had strong faith in God. Yet, he “gave way to tears” over the death of his dear friend Lazarus. (John 11:35) So don’t be afraid to let your tears flow. It does not mean that you lack faith! Alicia says: “Eventually, I cried. A lot. Every day.”c

[Box on page 11]

IT’S OK TO CRY . . . THEY DID!

Abraham​—Genesis 23:2.

Joseph​—Genesis 50:1.

David​—2 Samuel 1:11, 12; 18:33.

Mary, the sister of Lazarus​—John 11:32, 33.

Jesus​—John 11:35.

Mary Magdalene​—John 20:11.