1-2. Ye käŋö kek ɣo puɔ̈l buk dhiaau?

 AT ONE time or another, we have all shed tears. When we go through situations that make us very happy, we might shed tears of joy. Perhaps you cried when something important or special happened to you​—for instance, when your child was born, when you recalled a fond memory, or when you welcomed a dear friend whom you had not seen in years.

² However, all too often, our tears reflect the pain we feel deep in our heart. For example, we might cry when someone sorely disappoints us. We might shed tears when suffering intense pain because of an unrelenting sickness or when mourning the loss of a loved one in death. At such times, we might feel as did the prophet Jeremiah when Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. Jeremiah said: “Streams of water flow from my eyes . . . My eyes weep without ceasing, without pausing.”​—Lam. 3:48, 49.

3. Ye Yekoba yök këdï ye puɔ̈u të yen kɔcke tïŋ ke mam awu ke gum? (Yithaya 63:9)

³ Jehovah knows how many tears we have shed as a result of distressing situations. The Bible assures us that he is aware of whatever painful situation his servants face, and he hears us when we cry out to him for help. (Ps. 34:15) But Jehovah does more than just see us and hear us. Like a loving parent, he is deeply moved when he sees his  children cry, and he is eager to provide help.​—Read Isaiah 63:9.

4. Ye kä yïndï cï röt looi ë Baibolic, lëu bïk ɣo kuɔny buk tɛ̈ktɛ̈k Yekoba ŋic?

⁴ In his Word, Jehovah reveals how he responded when his servants shed tears. We can see this by considering the examples of Hannah, David, and King Hezekiah. What made them shed tears? How did Jehovah respond to their cry for help? And how can their example comfort us when we shed tears of sorrow, betrayal, or despair?

DHIËN Ë RAAN CÏ YE PUƆ̈U PÄLWEI

5. Cïï Hannah yök këdï ye puɔ̈u wään cïï käriliic ye yök?

⁵ Hannah faced several problems that caused her to shed tears of sorrow. One of these difficulties was that she was in a bigamous marriage, and her husband’s other wife, Peninnah, despised her. As if that were not bad enough, Hannah was childless, while Peninnah had several children. (1 Sam. 1:1, 2) Peninnah relentlessly taunted Hannah about her barrenness. How would you have felt in such a situation? Hannah was so upset that “she would weep and not eat,” and she became “extremely bitter” at heart.​—1 Sam. 1:6, 7,  10.

6. Yeŋö cïï Hannah bɛ̈n looi bï deet ë puɔ̈u yök?

⁶ How did Hannah find comfort? One thing that helped her was that she went to the center of true worship, the tabernacle. There, possibly somewhere near the entrance to the courtyard of the tabernacle, “she began to pray to Jehovah and to weep uncontrollably.” She begged Jehovah: “Look upon the affliction of your servant and remember me.” (1 Sam. 1:10b, 11) Hannah poured out her feelings to Jehovah in prayer. How moved Jehovah must have been to see the tears of this precious daughter of his!

7. Ye deet ë puɔ̈u yïndï cïï Hannah bɛ̈n yök wään cïï yen këden tɔ̈u ye puɔ̈u lɛ̈k Yekoba?

⁷ How did Hannah feel after she opened her heart to Jehovah in prayer and received assurance from High Priest Eli? The account reads: “The woman went on her way and ate, and her face was no longer downcast.” (1 Sam. 1:17, 18) Even though her distressing situation had not yet changed, Hannah felt relieved. She had transferred the weight of her emotional burden to Jehovah. He saw her distress, heard her cry, and later blessed her by allowing her to conceive.​—1 Sam. 1:19, 20; 2:21.

8-9. Cït man cïï ye gɔ̈t ë buŋ ë Ɣeberuu 10:24, 25, ye wɛ̈tŋö dhil ɣook en aa them apɛi buk ya bɛ̈n amɛtmɛɛtiic (Tïŋ thura aya.)

⁸ Lessons for us. Are you dealing with  a difficult situation that causes you to shed tears of sorrow? Perhaps you are grieving the death of a family member or a friend. At such times, it is only natural to want to be alone. But just as Hannah found comfort and encouragement by going to the tabernacle, you can find comfort by attending Christian meetings​—even if you are not feeling your best. (Read Hebrews 10:24, 25.) As we listen to comforting Bible passages at meetings, Jehovah can help us replace negative thoughts with positive ones. That can help us control our emotions, even if our situation does not immediately improve.

⁹ At our meetings, we also enjoy wholesome association with compassionate fellow believers, whose expressions of concern and love can lift our spirits. (1 Thess. 5:11,  14) Consider the experience of a special pioneer brother who lost his wife in death. He said: “I still shed tears. Sometimes, I will sit in a corner and just cry. But our meetings have been a true source of encouragement. The beautiful expressions of my brothers and sisters are really soothing to me. No matter how anxious, or worried, I am before I arrive at the meeting, I always feel better there.” When we are at our meetings, Jehovah can use our brothers and sisters to help us.

10. Ye këdï lëu bïï ɣok Hannah kiëët të cïï ɣook ɣopuɔ̈th pälwei?

¹⁰ Hannah also gained comfort by pouring out her feelings to Jehovah in prayer. You too can “throw all your anxiety on [Jehovah],” confident that he will listen. (1 Pet. 5:7) A sister whose husband was killed in an armed robbery recalled: “I felt as if my heart had been broken into tiny fragments and it would never heal. My comfort and solace came from praying to my loving heavenly Father, Jehovah. Sometimes, I couldn’t find the right words, but he understood me. When I was an emotional wreck, I would pray for peace. I could feel a calm come over my heart and mind and could then go on.” When you pour out your concerns to Jehovah, he is deeply moved by your tears of sorrow, understanding your pain of heart. Even if the cause of your anxiety remains, Jehovah can soothe your troubled heart and help you to feel a measure of peace. (Ps. 94:19; Phil. 4:6, 7) And he will reward your faithful endurance.​—Heb. 11:6.

DHIËN Ë RAAN CÏÏ KƆC KƆ̈K LUƆ̈I KËRAC

11. Cï Debid käriliic cï rot luɔ̈i yen bɛ̈n yök këdï ye puɔ̈u?

¹¹ During his life, David had to endure several troubling situations that made him shed tears. He faced hostility from others and even betrayal by those he trusted. (1 Sam. 19:10, 11; 2 Sam. 15:10-14,  30) At one point, he wrote: “I have grown weary with my sighing; all night long I soak my bed with tears; I flood my couch with weeping.” Why did David feel that way? “Because of all those harassing me,” he explained. (Ps. 6:6, 7) The hurtful actions of others caused David such pain that his tears flowed freely.

12. Cït man cïï ye gɔ̈t ë buŋ ë Diɛt 56:8, yeŋö ë cïï Debid gam ë piände ëbën?

¹² Despite the adversities that David faced, he was convinced that Jehovah  loved him. He wrote: “Jehovah will hear the sound of my weeping.” (Ps. 6:8) On another occasion, David made the intriguing statement that we find at Psalm 56:8. (Read.) Those words paint a touching portrait of Jehovah’s tender care. David felt as if Jehovah were collecting his tears in a bottle or recording them in a book. David was sure that Jehovah noticed and remembered his pain. David was convinced that his loving heavenly Father was aware not only of what he had been through but also of how it had affected him.

13. Të cïï kɔc kɔ̈k ɣo luɔ̈i kërac, ye tëno lëu bïï ɣok deet ë puɔ̈u yök thïn? (Tïŋ thura aya.)

¹³ Lessons for us. Are you coping with emotional distress caused by disappointment or by betrayal from someone you trusted? Maybe you are suffering heartache because your courtship or marriage ended unexpectedly, or maybe someone you love stopped serving Jehovah. A brother whose wife committed adultery and abandoned him said: “I was in a state of shock and disbelief. I felt useless, sad, and angry.” If you are coping with betrayal or disappointment, take comfort in knowing that Jehovah will never abandon you. The brother said: “I have come to realize that human relationships can fail, but Jehovah is our Rock. No matter what happens, he is always there. He will not leave his loyal ones.” (Ps. 37:28) Remember, too, that Jehovah’s love exceeds that of any human. As painful as being betrayed by someone may be, it has no bearing on how much Jehovah cares for you. (Rom. 8:38, 39) The point is: Regardless of how a person has treated you, your heavenly Father loves you.

14. Ye deetic ë puɔ̈u no lëuku buk yök ë buŋ ë Diɛt 34:18 yic?

¹⁴ When coping with betrayal, we can also be comforted by David’s reassuring words found at Psalm 34:18. (Read.) One reference work says that those “crushed in spirit” may refer to “those who have nothing good to look forward to.” How does Jehovah respond to those who feel that way because of bitter disappointment? Like a loving parent who holds and comforts a child in distress, Jehovah “is close to” us​—ever compassionate and ready to help us if we feel crushed by betrayal or loss. He is eager to comfort and soothe our broken heart and pained spirit. And he gives us many  things to look forward to that help us endure our present trials.​—Isa. 65:17.

DHIËN Ë RAAN CÏÏ KÄRƐC RÖT LUƆ̈I YEN

15. Ye käriliic yïndï ë ke cï Hezekiah yök, cï yen bɛ̈n puɔ̈l bï dhiaau?

¹⁵ At the age of 39, King Hezekiah of Judah learned that he had a terminal illness. The prophet Isaiah delivered Jehovah’s message that Hezekiah would die from his sickness. (2 Ki. 20:1) There seemed to be no hope for Hezekiah. Devastated by the news, Hezekiah wept profusely. He prayed to Jehovah fervently.​—2 Ki. 20:2, 3.

16. Yeŋö cïï Yekoba bɛ̈n looi wään cïï ë Hezekiah dhiaau ke wïc kuɔny?

¹⁶ Jehovah was touched by Hezekiah’s tearful plea and kindly said to him: “I have heard your prayer. I have seen your tears. Here I am healing you.” Through Isaiah, Jehovah mercifully promised to extend his life and to rescue Jerusalem out of the hands of the Assyrians.​—2 Ki. 20:4-6.

17. Ye këdï ye Yekoba ɣo kuɔny të cïï ɣook tuany? (Diɛt 41:3) (Tïŋ thura aya.)

¹⁷ Lessons for us. Are you facing a health situation that appears to be hopeless? Turn to Jehovah in prayer, even in tears. The Bible assures us that “the Father of tender mercies and the God of all comfort” will comfort us in all our trials. (2 Cor. 1:3, 4) Today we cannot expect Jehovah to remove all our problems, but we can count on him to sustain us. (Read Psalm 41:3.) By means of his holy spirit, Jehovah gives us strength, wisdom, and inner peace to cope. (Prov. 18:14; Phil. 4:13) He also sustains us through our Bible-based hope of seeing all forms of illness eliminated.​—Isa. 33:24.

18. Ye cöök ë Baibol no ca yök ke ye yï dɛɛt ë puɔ̈u ë dhaman ë cïï kërilic yï yök? (Tïŋ thanduŋ ye lueel “ Wël Lëu Bïk yï Kuɔny ba Yïpuɔ̈u Pälpiny ba Cïï Ben Dhiaau.”)

¹⁸ Hezekiah was comforted by Jehovah’s words. We can similarly find comfort in God’s Word. Jehovah has preserved soothing words that can lift our spirits when we face distressing situations. (Rom. 15:4) When a sister in West Africa was diagnosed with cancer, she often wept. She relates: “One scripture that I particularly find comforting is Isaiah 26:3. Even though we seldom have full control over the trials we face, that verse reassures me that Jehovah can give us the kind of inner peace that helps us control how we react to the trials.” Is there a scripture that you have found especially  soothing when you are facing situations that seem extremely trying, maybe even hopeless?

19. Ye pïïr yïndï tit ɣook tueŋ?

¹⁹ We are living deep in the last days, and we expect that causes of tears will only increase. But as we noted from the examples of Hannah, David, and King Hezekiah, Jehovah sees the tears we shed and is deeply moved by them. Our tears are truly precious to him. So when we face distressing situations, we certainly want to pour out our heart to Jehovah in prayer. May we never isolate ourselves from our loving brothers and sisters in the congregation. And may we continue to find comfort in the soothing words recorded in the Bible. We can be sure that if we keep enduring faithfully, Jehovah will reward us. That includes the wonderful promise that in time he will wipe out every tear of sorrow, betrayal, and despair from our eyes. (Rev. 21:4) Then we will shed only tears of joy.