Hannah: Barren and Misunderstood

“And Hannah prayed and said, ‘My heart exults in the LORD; my strength is
exalted in the LORD. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.”-1 Samuel 2:1

Do you feel that you and not understood? That people do not fully comprehend the troubles that you are going through? When this happens, we can feel unloved and abandoned. We may feel that we have been deserted by our friends, family, and even God himself. Yet, God understand you the best, He created you uniquely!

Hannah was miserable. She saw all of her friends and family have baby after baby, but her womb was closed. She was taunted by her husband’s second wife, who was able to bear Elkanah many children. However, he did not under the pain that Hannah was experiencing.

Elkanah saw Hannah crying and said “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you down-hearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons? Yes, she has given me children, but it’s you I love. Ignore her taunts.” While Elkanah was trying to be the good supportive husband, he did not understand what his wife was going through. How could he?

When Hannah and her family went to a village called Shiloh for the annual festival, Hannah went to the temple to pray instead of rejoicing with everyone else. The priest Eli saw Hannah act peculiar, moving her mouth without any sounds coming out. Eli thought that Hannah was drunk, and scolded her harshly. Hannah stood up for herself and told the priest that she was not drunk but miserable, and she was busy praying. Eli apologized and wished her that he prayers would come true.

Hannah left the temple that day comforted by the Lord. Then next day when she went home, she and her Elkanah conceived her son Samuel. When Hannah was in the temple that day, Hannah dedicated the child he would provide her to God. She promised him that he would live for God everyday and that a razor would never touch his head.

God heard Hannah’s cries and comforts her. In this situation, God answered Hannah’s prayers with a “yes”, which God does not always go. God does not always give us what we want, but he does always give us what we need, which is comfort and love. While you battle your eating disorder, ask God to give you comfort and guidance to make the right decisions.

God did not tell Hannah at the temple that day that she would conceive a child, which was he desire. God did comfort her though, and He lifted her spirits. She knew that God had a plan for her, as He has for you.