When Tears Become Worship
Tears can be worship too. This devotional reminds us that God counts every cry as an offering of faith, even when others misunderstand.
DALLAS, TX—Sometimes the strongest worship is not a song of triumph but tears in the presence of God.
On December 23, 2018, when a survivor stood weeping in the choir loft at Stonebriar Church, some misunderstood her tears as weakness. Yet heaven saw them as worship. Just as Jesus wept, and just as the psalmists poured out their anguish, those tears rose like incense — a testimony that even in pain, the heart turned toward God.
Never be ashamed of tears in His presence. They are not a disruption but an offering. In every cry, God hears faith louder than words.
Editorial Note: This article contains references to allegations, witness testimony, and other reported information. Individuals or organizations named or referred to in this article have disputed or denied allegations concerning their alleged involvement, and their reported responses have varied. Where relevant, those responses are described in the body of this article or elsewhere in this series. The inclusion of an individual’s name should not be interpreted as a finding of civil or criminal liability. Readers are encouraged to review the related articles and supporting source material in this series for additional context.
How Readers Can Respond
If this article has impacted you, there are several ways you can help:
- Learn more about the Stonebriar Church investigation.
- Share this reporting with others.
- Pray for survivors, whistleblowers, and investigators.
- Support ongoing recovery and advocacy work.
Explore the Stonebriar Church Investigation
Stonebriar Church in Frisco, TX
Stonebriar Community Church is an Evangelical traditional style church located in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex at 4801 Legendary Dr, Frisco, TX 75034. The pastor of Stonebriar Church at the time of this incident was founding pastor Chuck Swindoll, who retired in October 2024. Chuck Swindoll is an evangelical Christian pastor, author, educator, and radio preacher. He founded Insight for Living, and is chancellor emeritus at Dallas Theological Seminary. Jonathan Murphy is the current senior pastor of Stonebriar Church. The church website is: https://www.stonebriar.org
