The facts in verse 2 are given:
Two wives, Peni’ had children but Hannah did not.
Hannah was considered a failure, a social embarrassment, he could divorce her but Elkanah remained devoted.... along with the other women.
Hannah's Emotions
1:7 She would be reduced to tears...Hannah was insecure, discouraged, and her self-confidence –zero.
1:7 She would be reduced to tears...Hannah was insecure, discouraged, and her self-confidence –zero.
Going to Men for Security
You see the husband speak to her. I have to laugh at her husband’s response, men undoubtedly are problem solvers. I know sometimes I go to my husband discouraged and crying, he offers me a solution or a logical way of thinking about the situation. “Aren’t I better than 10 sons?”. I don’t think husbands are insensitive; they are just built to analyze, give answers, “fix” situations. As women we our mind, body, soul are connected and Hannah’s entire system reacts when she is hurt.
Did she give her blame to her husband, retaliate to Peni’ or her husband, did she act like a victim? NO!
Taking it up with someone else wasn’t going to make her feel any better. She knew he loved her but what she needed was to take those wounds and hurts to the only One in control to God.
Wanting Good Things
I think of those times where I feel helpless and what I want is a good thing like Hannah wanting children. God’s timing is not mine. We must remain steadfast to go to the only One who can comfort. Hannah’s problem ran deeper then needing encouragement from her husband. It’s about her significance in life, her purpose; her struggling with what was God’s plan.
Her Reaction and Actions
1:9 Hannah’s reaction...SHE PRAYS!
We must choose to take it all to God. There is a daily battle with being a wife, a woman, a friend, a leader...to let our fears, anxieties, our lies we believe about God and ourselves to win. We must go to God the only one with Truth and real peace.
Isaiah 57:15, 18, 19, 20 We have a choice to be like the restless sea or to have peace and be healed.
Laura's Challenge:
Spend sometime writing out a prayer asking God to speak to you, as we see how Hannah took her whole heart to the Lord, she was honest about who she really was, believing and acting on what was true about God. She didn't hold back. So don't hold back go to God with it all and see what He does....it will be more than you could imagine.
