05. Weeping as Worship: Finding God’s Presence in Sacred Sob Sessions

In this solo episode, Cass unpacks the beauty of "sacred sob sessions"—those profound, solitary moments when tears become a form of worship and communion with God.

Sharing personal stories, insights from her time at Denver Seminary, and wisdom from the book Burnout, Cass explores the emotional, spiritual, and physiological benefits of crying.

Drawing on the work of theologian Katherine Sonderegger, she delves into God’s omnipotence and empathy in relation to human suffering, offering a nuanced perspective on the problem of evil and God’s presence in our pain. Through biblical references such as Psalm 56:8 and Romans 8, she reveals how tears can act as silent prayers, expressions of repentance, and channels for divine connection.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

• Tears as a form of worship and silent prayer: exploring how tears express repentance, longing, and spiritual vulnerability.
• God’s omnipotence and empathy in suffering: incorporating Sonderegger’s insights into the problem of evil, highlighting God’s compassionate presence through Jesus’s tears.
• Therapeutic benefits of crying: understanding the mental, emotional, and physiological relief that comes from a good cry.
• Creating space for vulnerability:  encouraging listeners to embrace their emotions and invite God into their most tender moments.

With practical advice for expressing emotions and a heartfelt prayer for comfort and healing, this episode offers a compassionate reminder that our tears can be a powerful form of worship and a pathway to experiencing God’s presence in our most vulnerable moments.

Ready for a good cry? Grab some tissues, invite Jesus into the mix, and let’s turn those tears into a sacred sob session. Because sometimes, a little holy waterworks is exactly what the soul needs!

Links and Resources

Learn How to Hack Your Crying with Erin Moon on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/erin.h.moon 

Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

https://a.co/d/0y0JgKh 

Cassandra's "Cry Sesh" Playlist 

https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/cry-sesh/pl.u-V9D77Mpia3akkR 

Katherine Sonderegger's Systematic Theology: The Doctrine of God, Volume 1 

https://a.co/d/2QH1v20 

Connect with Cass:  https://www.cassandraspeer.com

Follow on Instagram @cassandralspeer 

https://www.instagram.com/cassandralspeer 

Join the conversation using #hardandholypodcast