A joy of Salvation is sometimes so great that it can be manifested by a cry. But in certain Christian communities we can see how the believers whine during prayer to God and their faces become convulsive while crying. They will say that they are crying for joy but they look very sad.

If we had been eyewitnesses of the tears of joy of those who are really faithful to God we could have noticed that their faces were lit up with joy and freshness. A wise man will notice the difference and recognize the spirit of self-compassion of which preacher Charles Finny says:

"To pray for them as for 'miserable sinners', does the Bible ever use this kind of language? The Bible never speaks about them as about 'miserable sinners' as if they deserve more to be pitied than accused. Christ takes pity on sinners in His heart. So does God our Father... But God never says anything like 'miserable creature' for sinners, as if they can do nothing because of the condition they are in. The idea that he is miserable instead of sinful, and unhappy instead of guilty, pleases and brings relief to the sinner very much.

I saw a sinner who was trembling in agony under the influence of the truth at the meeting until someone started to pray for him as for one 'miserable' creature, so that this one would weep bite tears brokenhearted, thinking that he has got really big help by this prayer saying: 'Oh, how beautiful the prayer is!' If you went to him and spoke to him, you would probably ascertain that he pities himself as if he is an unhappy poor creature, that maybe he even starts to weep because of his unfortunate situation, but that his reprimand for sin and his comprehension of the awful guilt are vanished."