I think we have all been a Hannah at one time or another in life. Many women feel that they can relate to Hannah because so many struggle with conceiving and it can have serious effects in a woman’s conscience and self worth. But set that part of Hannah’s story aside and focus on the basic points covered in 1 Samuel:1-20 and you can see how it can be applied to anyone
Society and culture have taught us that in order to achieve success, we must work hard, go to college, and pursue a field that will allow you to have financial success. So many people like me do just that, we grow up with a dream and pursue that goal for years just to discover an interesting thing- sometimes you fail in your pursuit.
For me my dream since a young tike was broadcast journalism. I went all my childhood convinced that this was what I wanted to do. I love everything about the field! The ability to teach others, apply my psychological interests, and to work in a field filled with diversity. Writing is a passion of mine as well as advocacy, so when you combine all of my interests it becomes the perfect combination for someone to pursue a career in broadcasting.
As perfect fitting as it is for me there are other avenues in thr industry that scare me to death. Math, statistics, some science, public speaking, and memorization as well as retention. These are all areas in life that I am horrible in! As hard as I have worked to succeed in these areas, there are still ways that I fail more than I succeed. I quickly bcome discouraged, feel helpless, or can become depressed over it.
Hannah believed that because she couldn’t conceive that God had punished her and closes her womb. This is a similar idea that I had pertaining to my struggles over the years. I developed this thinking that maythinking be God didn’t call me to this and left me in a place of confusion and distress. The idea of going into the industry kept resurrecting itself throughout my life time and time again and the last couple of times I just lifted my hands and said God lead the way.
When Hannah decided to change her attitude and intention for having children for her marriage or to feel better about life, she was lead during her time of prayer to say “God, should you bare me a son, I will give him to you for all of his life”. Hannah let go and let God have her situation and child that she so desperately wanted for so many years. Once this newfound thinking came over her and it became more about sacrificing for The Lord and allowing the gifts she wanted to be returned in honor of Him, He had provided favor and blessed her with Samuel.
In my own walk I learned that doing things for myself and my family are socially accepted but I don’t achieve any of my goals leading up to the career because something has always been missing and that is the honoring of God through it. He calls each of us to do wonderful things! He wants us to take the callings He gives us to impact humanity and lead others to Him.
For Hannah it was about learning to not just trust Him but to also be patient and wait for Him to lead. Hannah had everything she could have ever wanted in life! She had a husband who favored her and loved her with all he had, but all she wanted was a child and became more depressed each year she failed at conceiving. You could have everything in the world socially and culturally acceptable, but it will never fulfill you if God is not in your life.