Have you ever sobbed so hard that your body shook? Hot tears welling up from places you didn’t even know existed? Did you wonder if the tears would ever stop? I’ve cried tears like that. I’ve felt that kind of desperation, and yet somehow and in some way it’s there that God has proven He is exactly who He says He is.
In today’s reading we see that Hannah has been there too. As so many women who have come after her, Hannah was greatly grieved by her circumstances. “Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the LORD and wept with many tears” (1 Samuel 1:10). Through her story, we are given an example of what it means to approach God honestly with our pain.
God cares about our pain. He knows how many tears you and I have cried (Psalm 56:8). Just as He cared about Hannah’s deep pain, He cares about yours and mine too. God wants us to know what to do with our hurt, and that He will meet us in our suffering. We can start by taking our pain to Him in bold and honest prayer, just as Hannah did:
“LORD of Armies, if you will take notice of your servant’s affliction,
remember and not forget me, and give your servant a son,
I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life” (v.11).
God hears the cries of our hearts. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, and rescues them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). He is worthy of our trust, which is something Hannah truly believed. Scripture tells us that after praying, “Hannah went on her way; she ate and no longer looked despondent” (1 Samuel 1:18). Hannah did not yet know whether God was going to give her a child, but she went away confident that He had heard her plea. As should we!
God comforts us in our pain. I understand the relief that comes from honest prayer. After losing my son, I prayed to God repeatedly, sobbing, “I want him back right now!” In that deep, unimaginable pain, I found Him to be the tender God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3). I also found that His Word is true; He truly “is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).
We don’t need to be ashamed of our pain. When Eli accuses Hannah of being drunk, she tells him like it is: “I am a woman with a broken heart” (v.15). No excuses, no shame, no embarrassment. Sadness is part of the human condition that points to our need for a saving God. It is okay to be sad. Hannah’s honest prayer points to God’s reliable power and goodness. And so she declares, “There is no one holy like the LORD. There is no one besides you!” (1 Samuel 2:2).
God did give Hannah a son, yes, but more than that, He gave her the peace of His presence. He is with us as well. In His presence, may we learn to rejoice in Him always—regardless of our circumstances. May we learn to bring Him the deepest longings of our hearts, “through prayer and petition with thanksgiving. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” will be ours (Philippians 4:4,6–7). He waits to comfort us.
Maria Furlough is a wife and a mother to one amazing 11-year-old daughter, three rambunctious boys, and one baby boy who lives in the arms of Jesus. Formerly a full-time youth pastor, Maria now teaches women’s Bible studies and works as the Missions Team leader at Lake Forest Church in Huntersville, North Carolina. Maria is the author of Breaking the Fear Cycle: How to Find Peace for You Anxious Heart and Confident Moms, Confident Daughters. You can find Maria on Instagram or Facebook @MariaFurlough or online at www.mariafurlough.com.
The prince of peace gives peace that passes all understanding
It was VBS week. Both my kids were leaders. I had to rearrange my work schedule and I got behind on my reading. So I am now catching up. I too thought back when when the last time I sobbed so hard as Maria stated in the beginning of this devotion. It’s been a very, very long time since I cried hard. I know and I think the last time was when my dad passed away in April 2008. AND even though I had a dramatic like changing event (coming up on two years now) when my kids and I left our home, It’s still very hard for me to sob and cry. I haven’t been able to do that. I was in a very toxic home to where my tears were forced to stop. I was told to stop my crying. And when I started telling my daughter the same thing. I knew it was wrong. And had to leave, She now has been able to cry. And I’m OK with it. She is slowly healing as well. I am healing. My son is healing. I’m so thankful to my God who is taking care of us. He has been so faithful in the mist of all of this. I’m not keeping it all bottled up inside but it’s just hard for me to cry. And I’m able to talk about it. I brought it out into the light and once I did that the healing process started.
Cheyenne:
There are Christian-based organizations such as Lutheran Community Services( in my area of PA), Catholic Charities and Ecumenical organizations as well that assist with rent emergencies.
I am praying for you.
I needed this reminder today: God cares about our pain and is our comfort. Thank you, Lord ♡
Every time I read this, I think that Elkanah must have been some sort of idiot. 8“Hannah, why are you crying? ” her husband Elkanah asked. “Why won’t you eat? Why are you troubled? Am I not better to you than 10 sons? ” Uh, take a wild guess, Elkanah!
On another note,I know that it’s true about the peace of coming to God. I’m in my 40s and pretty well resigned to the fact that my husband and I are not having children (we’ve done all the fertility stuff, no joy). But this does not stop me every now and then coming to God with the need to ask Him again. And even though the answer is the same, and even though there’s no reason to ask again, I always know the loving kindness of God hearing me and seeing the pain. I know again that He will one day make all things new, and everything will be as it is meant to be. I’m not sure how that will look, but I’m looking forward to it. Xxx
My best friend and grandmother left this place to be with the Lord on June 13th, these devotionals have helped me through so much, this one in particular more than the others. Thank you Maria.
SRT sisters I was notified by my sister that my brother-in-law may not have his procedure today. He has been receiving blood transfusions due to low blood count. They are wanting to do an endoscopy to see where he is losing blood but haven’t been able to do that yet. My sister is a type A person and gets excited and worried about everything. My niece gets anxious about everything and my nephew just closes down. My brother-in-law has memory problems. So please pray for my sister, Carol’s, family. I will try to help as much as possible but I have to work and there is only so much I can do. Thank you.
Very timely devotional this morning. I needed this and will ponder on it through out the day.