In the book "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, the protagonist experiences intense emotions that manifest as tears. As she feels the overwhelming pressure of her sadness, she struggles to contain these feelings. The heat of her tears is so intense that it feels like they could cause her pain if released.
Rather than allowing herself to cry, she suppresses her emotions, forcing them down until they turn into a metaphorical stone within her. This symbolizes the internal struggle she faces, representing emotional turmoil and the difficulty of confronting painful feelings.