Hannah

READY 

“'Oh no, sir!' she replied. 'I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.'” 1 Samuel 1:15, 16 NLT

SET 

Do you remember Old Testament Hannah? She was a wife of Elkanah, a Jewish man. But here’s the thing. She was not his only wife. Peninnah was his other bride who had many children. From the Scripture, we know that Peninnah was mean to Hannah about how she did not have any children. 

Hannah was heartbroken. But though Peninnah was a bully, Hannah showed control by not being mean back. Instead, she prayed to God. “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: “O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you” (1 Samuel 1:10,11).

As a young athlete, do you think there is a lesson to be learned from Hannah’s response and self-control? She definitely had great wisdom to know when to be quiet, and when to cry out to God—the only One who could make a difference. Yelling at teammates, your opponents, or referees is not wise or effective. It does nothing but make people mad. But staying quiet and speaking only to God about the situation? Then you have all the power and wisdom!

GO 

1. Think about a time when you spoke poorly with the wrong attitude. What happened? Would the result have been different had you kept quiet or shown respect? 
2. Is there ever a time when we should speak up to defend ourselves or teammates?

WORKOUT 

• Matthew 26:63
• Isaiah 53:7

OVERTIME 

“Dear Heavenly Father, please grant me the self-control to know when to speak and when to remain silent. Help me have the right attitude, devoid of bitterness, and to cast all my cares and concerns on You, for I know You care for me. Amen.”

Rebekah Trittipoe