Tears, Testosterone, and King David: Reclaiming True Strength
Why modern men need more than tissues and talk — they need truth, testosterone, and the Gospel.
“God ain’t disappointed in your limits. He designed them.”
- Jonathan Brisco
In today’s cultural conversation around men’s mental health, the message often boils down to one phrase: "Men should be allowed to cry."
It’s a well-meaning sentiment, and it does matter. Emotional openness can be healing. But in its current form, this idea has become one-dimensional. It has replaced strength with sensitivity, power with passivity, and accountability with applause.
We’ve overcorrected. And now we risk leaving men stranded in their emotions without the tools, the truth, or the testosterone to move forward.
The Tears Are Real, But So Is the Decline
There is a biological, physical crisis quietly stealing the strength of men. Testosterone levels in men have been dropping for decades. Studies show that the average American male has lower testosterone than his grandfather did at the same age. That’s not just about muscle mass. Low testosterone impacts mood, energy, sleep, motivation, focus, and even faith. Yes, faith. Because when a man loses drive and presence, it becomes harder for him to walk in his God-given purpose. Modern mental health advice tries to separate the mental from the physical. And the SPIRITUAL?! It’s not even considered. “Health experts” hands men a box of tissues but no tools. It invites them to feel everything, but to fight for nothing. We were never built for that.
Enter King David: The Warrior Who Wept
If anyone had a reason to feel overwhelmed, it was David. Before he became king, he was anointed as a teenager and then immediately thrust into a life of waiting, wandering, and warfare. He was hunted by King Saul, betrayed by friends, surrounded by enemies, and weighed down by the pressure of leadership. And yes, David cried. A lot.
"I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears."
— Psalm 6:6 (KJV)
"My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?"
— Psalm 42:3 (KJV)
But here’s what made David different from today’s culture: He never cried just to cry. He cried to God. His tears were expressions of surrender, not self-pity. He processed emotion in the presence of the Lord, not in public for pity points. David cried, yes. But he also fought giants, led warriors, wrote songs, ruled nations, and walked with God. He was a versatile man. A well-versed KING. He lived in the tension between emotion and mission — and that is where true masculinity lies.
Give Your Tears to God
It’s okay to cry. But make sure your tears have a destination. Don’t let them fall into the void of TikTok therapists and feel-good mantras. Let them fall before the throne of grace.
"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"
— Psalm 56:8 (KJV)
That’s not just poetic — that’s a promise. God sees your pain. But He doesn’t leave you there. He calls you higher. He calls you to rise. This is the Gospel: not that we pretend to be strong, but that in our weakness, He is strong.
“And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
— 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)
And let’s be real with ourselves: when compared to Him, we are weak! Submission is the name of the game here — not shameful submission, but joyful surrender to a holy God who knows how to build men better than we ever could. Through Christ, we are given access to both grace and grit. We are free to feel — and called to lead.
The Brotherhood You Need
When David was at his lowest, he didn’t just have God — he had brothers.
Jonathan, his soul-tied friend
His mighty men, who backed him in battle
Nathan, the prophet who called him out when he fell
Today, men have influencers and acquaintances. But very few have accountability. Mental health isn’t just about journaling or taking walks. It’s about being known. Being challenged. Being sharpened. That’s why brotherhood is essential. You weren’t meant to carry your thoughts alone. You don’t need a bigger following. You need a tighter circle.
Movement Over Melancholy
Here’s the truth: Exercise, fresh air, and lifting heavy things work. Physical activity boosts testosterone, improves sleep, reduces anxiety, and builds self-respect. You don’t need to bench 300 pounds or become a bodybuilder. Just move. Breathe. Sweat. Build something. At Versed-Well, we encourage fitness as function. Not vanity. Not aesthetics. But spiritual stewardship. Taking care of your body is one way you reflect the image of God with honor. Work out with your brothers. Pray while you press. Lift while you lean on the Lord.
Cry Like David, Rise Like Christ
We live in a world that says, “Let it out.” The Bible says, “Lay it down.” There’s a difference. Lay your burdens at the feet of Jesus. Let your tears water the soil of your purpose. But don’t camp out in your feelings. Get up. Take up your mat. Move. Jesus wept. But then He walked to the cross. David wept. But then he fought for Israel. You can cry. But don’t forget who you are in Christ: A warrior. A leader. A son of God. You were born into a battle, not a spa day. And you’re equipped with something better than hype or hormones: the Holy Spirit.
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."
— John 10:17-18 (KJV)
Final Word
So yes, let’s talk about men’s mental health. But let’s not water it down to one note. Let’s bring in the whole orchestra: the physical, emotional, spiritual, and relational. Cry if you need to. But cry to God. Then rise up, pick up a weight, link arms with your brothers, and walk like a man who has been called, redeemed, and re-commissioned. You were never meant to drown in your feelings. You were meant to kneel in surrender and rise in strength.
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— Aaron O’Shea
Versed-Well Founder, Owner, Proprietor
Duty. Diligence. Direction.
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Drop a comment, and let’s build a band of men who cry like David but rise like Christ.
Amen, my friend!