Found By YouSample

This is how I fight my battles.

Hannah’s husband must have been quite perplexed to see his wife distraught each time she returned from the temple. The story in 1 Samuel 1 tells us that year after year, Hannah faced the same disappointment--the inability to have a baby. To make matters worse, she was ridiculed for her infertility.

I have had several friends struggle with infertility. The pain and disappointment they felt were agonizing. Many who have walked through the pain of infertility feel frustrated and desperate. Verse 16 tells us that Hannah was “anguished” in response to her pain. Yet, as a result of her deep grief, she prayed.

When I’ve been in a posture of waiting, I’ve learned to rely on God in multiple ways. Here are lessons from this passage that may be helpful to you:

1. Pour out your heart to God. I love the vision of Hannah praying. Her lips were moving, but nothing was coming out. In the same way, we can pour out our hearts to God. He hears us. He is the keeper of our deepest secrets. He came to heal and restore the broken places of our life.

2. Bless up. I love that Eli’s response was to bless Hannah. He may not have understood what was happening, but he could see that Hannah was in pain. Also, she told him so, and he believed her. He didn’t dismiss her pain, but blessed her. This is a great reminder that when caring for a friend or loved one in crisis, bless them through your presence and prayer.

3. Worship while waiting. As Hannah waited on God’s timing, she worshipped Him. I recently read a great quote about trust from author Paula Rinehart: “Trust ... waits in the cool shade of surrender.” Hannah’s struggles with infertility had yet to be resolved after she prayed. She had to wait and trust God. While in the posture of waiting, Hannah experienced hope, as written in 1 Samuel 19:9– “The Lord remembered her.”

Reflection: Is there a situation where you’ve been waiting on God to transform you? What reminders from this passage encourage you the most while you wait? Where can you love someone through your actions?

Prayer: Lord God, thank You for listening to me. I know when I offer my prayers to You, You hear them and are working. Though the answers may not come exactly the way I would have wanted or within the time I would have desired, I thank You. Help me trust Your timing and receive Your peace. Amen.

By Patriece Fraser McPeak