When the world is at a standstill, it makes you pay attention, but you can count on God through it. We’re forced to reflect because our lives are totally rearranged. The recent pandemic has forced you to be intentional in ways you never thought you would.
Remembering to cover your face getting out of the car or being mindful of how far you are from someone when talking (beware of close-talkers).
Our current situation is unlike any we’ve experienced. It’s an interesting twist that we are sharing this experience across the world.
We’re all connected.
Everyone is feeling the internal struggle with fear, including me.
I think I have it together and start to get a routine down, but then another report on the news shakes it up again. It stirs my worry in a very different way. Tuning it out works for about 3 seconds because there’s no escaping it.
Though our situation is different than anything we’ve experienced in our generation, anxiety, fear, and worry aren’t new. I’m sure in a difficult time in your life, you’ve had to battle these culprits.
Does it help that other people are going through it too?
Sure it does, at least a little.
When you feel anxious now and can’t describe it, you are no longer stigmatized. People have empathy because they are dealing with it too.
Again, we’re connected to each other.
Now that we all have an idea of struggling with anxiety and fear, I hope the stigma over mental health is better acknowledged. Some people have been imprisoned in their minds long before this.
When we go back to “normal,” I hope you don’t forget that connection.
But, I don’t think normal is a good word to describe it, maybe just comfortable. Before the pandemic, the world wasn’t always a glorious place. But now, things are different for everyone, even our children.
Coping with it is really hard.
So how do we get through it?
Trust God and Jesus because we can count on them.
They’ll guide you through anything you’re facing, especially fear. It may be hard to see … or believe … but it’s true.
If you want to know how God always keeps His promises, there are endless examples.
One is His commitment to Abraham. He told him He would make him a “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4, NKJV). Abraham had a bond with God, and no matter how many times he sinned, God kept His word.
Abraham was not perfect, but he had great faith. He was ready to sacrifice his only Son to the Lord, but God made a promise to him instead.
From the moment he had his own son bound, ready to sacrifice as a burnt offering, God blessed him immensely.
“By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son—blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies” (Genesis 22:17).
Not only is every tribe of Israel from Abraham’s bloodline, but the greatest King of all Kings.
Jesus Christ.
There is no more incredible blessing than Jesus.
2. His word is without error
Passed down through thousands of years, the Bible is probably the most scrutinized source of literature.
Thousands of years, multiple people writing it, and not one word contradicts the other. God’s plan to distribute His Word is without flaw.
From the first book to the last book, God’s character and instruction are consistent throughout the text. There is no contradiction. You can feel the Holy Spirit when you read God’s word.
Jesus Christ is the living Word of God, and His life is what brings power to the scripture.
Once you confess your sins through Jesus Christ, they are forgiven.
That’s it.
Jesus Christ is the only One who can intercede on your behalf. When He died and rose again, He defeated the death that sin causes to your spirit.
When you sin, it separates you from God. Because Christ took ALL YOUR SIN past, present, and future upon Himself and overcame it, you are alive in Him.
It’s hard for us to grasp when we are feeling really accountable because we carry our sins with us. We keep reminding ourselves of those horrible things we’ve done.
I believe the intention behind the reminder is to stay humble, but that’s not what God says about it. Once you ask forgiveness, it’s done.
Guilt and doubt in ourselves don’t come from God. It’s from us.
God accepts Jesus on our behalf.
“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).
You pray for forgiveness through Jesus, He forgives you.
4. He’s true to His Word
Jesus is the living word of God.
God is true to His word and His Son.
When He makes a promise, He sees it through.
The best example is the prophecy of Jesus Christ.
The truth about Jesus’ life was foretold hundreds of years before He came to earth.
“Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel” (Isaiah 7:14).
And another amazing passage about Jesus …
“For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
5. He comforts you
God is merciful and compassionate. I could give you endless examples of comfort He and Jesus provide.
But the one that makes the biggest impact is in your life.
When has Jesus comforted you?
At your lowest times in life, when you feel completely alone, that’s when He is there.
He holds your heart in His hands to protect it and provide you love and compassion. There is no greater comfort than knowing He loves you so much He took all of your mistakes upon Himself, so you could be free from them.
Everything that separates you from God was put on His shoulders.
He chose to do that for you. Because He loves you. He wants you to live a full life in Him. He wants you to be reconciled to God and have eternal rest in Him.
He’s the Prince of Peace.
6. He is faithful and controls temptation in your life
He knows you will not be able to withstand temptation for too long. You can count on God showing up
What temptation do you ask?
The temptation to go your own way without Him. Anything that makes you want to go against God’s plan for you is a temptation to sin. I know that’s a very broad spectrum. But it’s just true.
The most comfortable time to want to go your own way is when things are going well for you.
Think about that. If you have many talents and abilities to be “successful” in life, when do you need God?
You are at an advantage if you’re facing struggles because trials keep you humble. It doesn’t mean that success doesn’t, but it’s much easier to forget the many blessings God has provided for you when you have accomplished many things.
Please don’t take that as a knock on doing well with what you have. God wants you to do well, but with Him not on your own. He knows at some point you won’t be able to resist doing things yourself, so He’s faithful to you and gives you a way out.
“No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Reflect on this verse because it sums up God’s sacrifice for you.
His only Son was well-pleasing to Him. He knew there was no one righteous enough to fulfill His plan for salvation. Jesus knew it too. Together they gave the ultimate sacrifice so you could be saved. I don’t know if anyone has ever made sacrifices for you, but if they have, I’m sure your trust in them grew exponentially.
Think of who you would choose to save over yourself.
Your child … spouse … sibling … And why would you do that?
Because you love them, you want to protect them, and you want to make sure they have a wonderful life. You can count on God, who did that for you through His Son Jesus.
8. He prepared a place for us
Jesus was honest about His purpose and God’s plan.
“In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you” (John 14:2).
He’s talking about heaven and our place after death. He told us what to expect.
No surprises.
But His disciples were just as distraught about it as we are. They asked the questions in which we also need answers. They worried about how they would know where He was. Jesus assured He will come and receive us, so we know the way. Jesus speaks through His Father’s authority. They dwell together.
He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
9. He gave you a Helper
Do you hear a little voice inside you trying to guide you?
Do you get chills when you are reading the Bible or saying a prayer?
This Helper wades through the lies in your life to show you the truth.
The more time you spend learning God’s word, the more the Helper can work in your life. You are set apart from the world when you receive Jesus, and the Helper guides you toward the life in Him.
Please comment below about a time you had to count on God … even if you struggled with it. We all have a tough time getting out of His way. It gives others hope when we talk about it.
What if success means surrendering everything you have to focus on Jesus?
Surrender, a word that is despised by the human race. It conveys weakness and vulnerability. Surrender means to submit. But, if you want to succeed, you have to be tough and fight through it. That’s the world’s approach to things.
In a world full of instant gratification, how can you stop looking for quick solutions?
We are taught to work hard, seek the problem, find the answer, and move forward. From a young age, we are told to be responsible, so we can grow up to be successful.
Jesus teaches something very different.
Jesus is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is God incarnate. This means He has the power of God in His hands, but yet He used those hands to wash the feet of His friends. He was humble, kind, and simply obeyed everything His Father asked of Him. Even to death. He never ceased to pray with people, teach them, and support them.
His ministry was completely different than what the church leaders of His time were doing. And even some church leaders of today.
Jesus chose a tax collector, fishermen, and women to be His partners in ministry. He didn’t choose the church leaders who thought highly of themselves but had no idea about the Word of God.
Even as I write this, I get teared up because the ultimate power of Jesus is simply overwhelming. His comfort is gentle, yet His strength is unmatched. He holds your heart as you weep, but He also equips you with a powerful sword.
His life of service is the model He wants us to follow. His love was completely sacrificial, putting everyone else’s needs above His own. He surrendered every moment to His Father’s will. He endured temptation, heartache, and anger just as we do in our flesh, yet He did not sin.
You race to a finish line you’ll never achieve in this world. Just stop. Sometimes, the race doesn’t look the way you think. It’s not always I’m too busy, or I don’t have time for that. It can be a race that only you struggle within your own head.
Thoughts like I’m not good enough, I’m not worthy of this, or I can’t do this. Debilitating thoughts that paralyze your heart are not from Jesus. I know the battle with them, and Jesus does too. One moment is all it takes—one moment where you’re asking Jesus to help you.
Praying is spending time with Jesus. Through the Holy Spirit, you feel something working inside of you the moment you sit down and start to pray … with your heart. You may cry, feel goosebumps, or be overwhelmed by His peace. Your relationship is built in these moments.
But prayer isn’t just for you to talk to Him. It’s for you to listen when He speaks to you. As a result, you mature in your faith. The more time you spend, the more you grow. It’s not really a destination but a journey.
3. Listen
Your prayer time is sacred because it builds your relationship with Jesus. In that time of you letting out your worries, fears, and humble requests, also try to take a moment to listen to Him. I know you’re probably thinking, What?! Is Jesus really going to talk to me? Yep. But maybe not in ways you expect. He may subtly speak to your heart, and you know it’s Him. Or, He may put something in your face so big that you know it’s Him without a doubt. It’s not just about listening for His voice in your life, but also that nudge from the Holy Spirit guiding you down a certain path.
If you want the truth, you gotta go right to the source. You’re not going to get the same kind of understanding by learning from someone else. Your pastor or even your Christian friends are most likely blessed by the Lord in their ministry. God uses people to shepherd His flock.
But there is no substitute for your time reading God’s word. When you read, there is something God wants you to learn at that moment. He has a purpose for you individually. You gain understanding in a totally different way. When you learn about Jesus’ character, it helps you recognize what He’s doing in your life. You know it’s Him because you know how He works from reading about Him. It helps you focus on what Jesus has done in the lives of people when He was here. Which also helps you recognize similar events in your own life.
God’s word is inerrant, meaning it’s without error, and it will teach you about what you see in the world. The current events happening are not new. Throughout the old testament and new testament, you will see themes that you can directly apply today. And to your own life.
When is the last time you helped someone just because?
Tomorrow, maybe pay for the person behind you in the drive-thru line or help put groceries in the car of an elderly person. Just because we are in a time of social distancing doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of opportunities to serve. Everything Jesus did was in service, to His Father and for us.
Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” John 13:34.
Serving one another is loving each other in the way Jesus loved us. Keeping the focus on Jesus and not the ways of the world help us to stay connected in faith. Take today to give one person something in the spirit of service. If you buy a coffee, get one for a co-worker. If you really want to ramp it up, get one for the co-worker that bothers you, or isn’t the nicest person. That’ll make them wonder if you’re really nice, or just a goofball. Either way, it will make them smile, even if it’s for a split second.
I hope this helps you focus on Jesus. I know it’s easy to get caught up in everything going on in your life right now. Especially when there are so many uncertainties. But isn’t that the best reason to spend some time with the One who can actually make a difference?
Please sharethis post with one person you think can benefit from it.
Feel free tocommenton ways you’ve served other people in good faith or ideas you can share about how to take care of each other while socially distancing.
This question can make one of two things happen. You want to run for the hills, or proudly stand tall declaring your faith.
But, what’s the real purpose of this question?
Depending on what part of the world you live in, it may be a question that holds your life in balance. Answering this question can turn your friend quickly into your adversary. It’s as if your religion tells someone all they need to know about who you are. It creates another category to classify you. No one can be pigeon-holed into categories. Every person is a unique blend of character and charisma.
Disclaimer:
Your religion may be an integral part of your identity. Before you continue reading, I want to make it clear that I believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came to earth, died, defeated death and sin, and rose again. I am writing this to prompt reflection about the truth of God using the New King James Version of the Bible. In no way is this meant to shame, reject, or outcast any other beliefs or religions. If anything, I encourage you to read forward.
If you don’t agree with me, please understand, I am not your enemy. You are entitled to your choice. I can only plant the seed, but it’s God who gives the increase.
You are welcome here.
Let’s focus on 7 questions that you think, but don’t ask.
1. What is the difference between religion and a relationship with God?
Your religion says nothing about your relationship with God.
Is that hard to hear? I’m sorry, but it’s true.
Going through the motions of religion without your heart transformed is just empty work. Jesus transforms you through His Holy Spirit. He works within you, it’s not your works, but by God’s grace. Jesus changes your heart, and you are a new creation.
The more you let Him work inside you, the more you will share the fruits of the Holy Spirit. You can go to church every week, tithe, and even be on the church council. And, if your heart isn’t circumcised by Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God who died and rose again, then you won’t able to do what He needs. He says “without Me you can do nothing” John 15:5.
Read through Ephesians 2 for more about God’s grace through faith and circumcision of the heart.
This isn’t necessarily bad as long as it’s rooted in God’s word. But, things get misunderstood when the flesh tries to overpower the spirit. Centuries of religious leaders who’ve used traditions as a way to twist the word of God for selfish reasons prove that the flesh is no match for the spirit; it always falters.
Over thousands of years, religions have been poked and prodded so much we can barely keep up. Traditions made by man are the foundations of many churches.
Even the people who vow to these traditions can’t keep up with them.
Futhermore, traditions not rooted in God’s word are stumbling blocks for those looking for Him. Religion itself is so complicated that scholars can’t even agree on the definition of the word.
Religion isn’t your defining character. And, once you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, it’s Him who lives inside you. His Holy Spirit.
Your relationship with Him is what matters.
3. What is the fruit Jesus is talking about?
Fruit of the Spirit:
Kindness
Gentleness
Patience/longsuffering
Peace
Joy
Self-control
Love
Goodness
Faithfulness
Jesus sums everything up in that passage. Your relationship with Jesus is like pulling your fruit from His vine. If He is your source, you will have an endless supply. If He lives in you when you accept Him, you just have to seek Him and spend time with Him.
4. Who can I trust?
I’m sure you wouldn’t want someone to lie to you about the word of God. However, you face lies every single day. Someone tries to feed them to you, so you don’t even come close to knowing and loving the truth of Jesus. It is a battle within your own flesh and spirit.
Good and evil. It’s a very real fight.
Certain religions don’t address this internal fight without using shame as a way to say you should be better at it. Well, there’s no shame here.
I’ll admit that I’m terrible at it because I have no strength in my flesh at all. So, I simply step aside and let Jesus do it. Even stepping aside is hard for me.
I am weak in my flesh, and guess what? You are too. We can’t handle it. We’re not supposed to be able to handle it.
Your weakness is something to celebrate.
5. Why celebrate weakness?
Because the Lord says “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
Now, the battle takes many forms. Are you fighting the I’m not good enough battle? Perhaps you face the I don’t need God because I can do it myself struggle. Or even this … Why would God let this happen to me?
Anxiety, grief, anger (and many more) all take hold of our spirit. Because of this, our spirit silently suffers the more we try to do things on our own. Our flesh squeezes tighter and tighter, slowly choking the truth out of our heart and mind.
There is a catalyst that is always chasing you. He wants you to believe you are the center of the world. His devious ways make you think you are the reason for everything happening in your life, good and bad. His darts are fired at you in such a cunning way, you think you are the one shooting them. He lingers, waiting to influence you with twisted truth.
Confusion, chaos, and hate are his dwelling places. So, when you feel doubt and anger, he swoops in trying to penetrate your mind, because He wants you to keep that mess going. The longer you are stuck in it, the farther you get from focusing on Jesus.
You alone simply cannot match this power. It exists, and it’s not your battle to fight.
Have you experienced complete exhaustion from it? You’re torn by choices or riddled with guilt making you think God could never love you. Or, you’re angry and beaten down from a palpable pressure in your life, influencing every moment.
Yes, I’ve been there too.
7. What am I supposed to do?
Take heart in this …
You have everything you need in Jesus Christ.
He already defeated death and Satan
He overcame what has you struggling right now
Becasue of YOU, He laid down His life
And, He’s on your side.
When you believe in Jesus, and I mean that very moment, He is with you.
Your relationship with Him is very personal and holy. Also, your relationship looks different than what someone else has with Him, so you can’t get stuck in comparing or setting expectations about what you think it “should” look like.
This is what Jesus says it’s like …
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” John 15: 5-8
Again, you have everything you need in Jesus Christ.
Your relationship with Him is what matters and His purpose for your life is revealed in that relationship. Also, once you abide in Him, He wants you to keep His words. He looks for you to love other people as He loves you. You can share the fruits of the spirit. Use the special gifts He’s equipped you with to be a witness to Him in your everyday life.
Your relationship with Jesus helps you to understand your purpose.
Please share this post with one person who needs to hear this message.
What is something you crave and can’t live without?
A need that you have to fulfill. You’re active in searching for it. It gives you chills because your heart is full. The only thing you fear is being without it because it defines your purpose. It makes you feel like a better person.
You were created to have needs that supply you emotionally, spiritually, and physically.
Humans crave connection. Desire leads to a passion that you must satisfy. Passion drives you to connect with something in a powerful way. It’s an insatiable devotion; you can’t get enough of it.
So, what are you passionate about?
In my own reflection on passion and purpose, I remember a part of the movie Sister Act 2. Have you seen it? Sister Mary Clarence (Whoopi Goldberg) was talking to the young girl who wanted to sing but was too afraid because her mother wouldn’t let her.
“If you wake up in the morning and you can’t think of anything but singing first, you’re supposed to be a singer girl.”
So, what is that thing you wake up and think about first?
Recognizing what you are passionate about in your life can help you become very self-aware. It’s hard to stay focused in a world full of distraction. But passion drives your motivation.
As a child, you had an endless supply of free-spirited optimism, but situations in your life caused that to dry up.
I believe that’s why Jesus said to be as little children (Matt 18:3, NKJV). Children aren’t inhibited by the world like you and me. They haven’t learned to distrust people because of hurt and rejection. Their hearts are warm and open, ready to accept God whenever He chooses to reach them.
Their innocence isn’t just because of lack of experience, but because their heart is humble.
God rewards humility
While teaching his disciples, Jesus called over a child to sit with them and said, “whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me” (Matt 18:4-5, NKJV).
We’ll get back to humility, but first let’s think about your desires.
What is the one thing that excites you the most?
Be honest. If you can’t be honest with yourself and with God, who will you be able to trust?
It’s ok. You’re not alone in desiring things that may not be the best for you. Maybe you’re hitting a wall and can’t think of anything, and that’s ok too. The purpose of taking a minute to think about your true desires is to reflect on what you are really chasing.
Getting to the root will help you get raw.
Raw is good, but doesn’t always feel like it. Tearing away the layers you’ve built to make you acceptable in the world takes time. Maybe you don’t even realize you’ve created them, which takes even longer to break them down.
Think of a beating heart: Lub dub, lub dub … and so on. At it’s most raw form, the heart beats freely and vigorously.
Nothing inhibits it, it just pumps.
With each pump, it sends life to every cell in the body. That’s what it was created to do … beat.
Over time, something goes wrong. Layers of thick muscle build up around the heart.
The heart keeps beating.
But the layers get thicker and thicker. Eventually, the layers are so thick, the heart can’t beat.
It can’t move like it was designed. Eventually, the blood carrying life to the cells is limited. The heart can’t survive in this condition, and neither can the body.
Peeling the layers helps us to get humble.
There is a purpose that was put inside of us, not by the world, but by our Father and Creator.
Being humble isn’t something we are naturally good at. We want reward for our good work. But the lowly in heart perform for no reward.
Working hard to get rewards is the human way, right?
Our reward for work is getting paid, which is one of the most basic principles we learn as an adult.
Working is one thing, but success is another. You want to be successful, but it’s essential to understand what success means to you … and to God.
Working hard at your job so you can have a nice retirement to enjoy might be your definition of success. If you’re a motivated individual who has many gifts in your work, that’s wonderful.
But what is God pulling you to do?
God cares about your heart, no matter what your bank account says. He’s not concerned with how much you know, or do in the world. He wants your heart to seek after Him and His Son.
Having humility is the key
When you humble yourself before God, something changes.
You view yourself as someone who needs Him. Crying out to Him displays your acceptance of your limitations. It also shows your faith.
Getting on your knees and saying that you need His help is an extremely spiritual experience.
This world will deceive you in thinking you can have all the answers.
Not enough money? No problem, you get a second job or invest.
Need a bigger house? Get a huge loan and pay it back later.
Feeling down in the dumps? Not an issue … take a few pills, and you’re fixed.
The more you look to the world and find answers yourself, the more you believe you can.
You were created by God with a purpose, just like a heart is meant to beat.
He loves you and gave His only Son so you could be reconciled back to Him.
Your body is a temple to Him. When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, His Holy Spirit meets you right in your heart.
If you don’t receive Him, your heart has a void that yearns to be filled.
You’ll search the world to try and fill it, but there’s no replacement for Jesus Christ.
You may not realize it in your everyday motions. That is why humility is necessary. You have to be willing to take a step back and look at yourself with a humble heart. The more you peel the layers, the more you see the purpose.
God wants you to come back to Him. He wants to walk with you in your life, or carry you if you need it.
He is the only One who can truly help you.
If you’re wondering how to do that, start with your desires.
What is the job you would do even if you didn’t get paid?
Feeling broken makes you uncomfortably vulnerable. But it could transform your entire life. As difficult as it is to accept, you are blessed in the brokenness you feel.
Is there something in your life that you can’t seem to get past?
It’s a thorn in your side that continually prods you. Maybe you’re mourning the death of someone you love, which paralyzes your heart from moving forward. Perhaps your struggle is internal, and you continually become your own worst enemy.
You go through a barrage of coping from anger to anguish. You are set on autopilot and pace through your everyday duties, but your heart is hollow. Your passion is gone, and you don’t know your purpose. You believe in God, but question His belief in you. You can’t feel His strength. Faith becomes hidden behind your fear that it will never change.
In life, something will always break you. That something will not honor your timing but operate on its own. The hardest part about your brokenness is accepting it as an opportunity, and trusting God through it.
Do you feel most in need of God when things are going right … or wrong?
If you’re like me, you are on your face praying when things have gone so wrong all you can do is weep. I thank God every day for His blessings in my life. There was a time when I wasn’t so sure of God. I didn’t feel worthy of Jesus because of my terrible mistakes. But, I remember the moments I’ve been crushed even more because they sparked a change that may have never occurred otherwise.
Get alone with Him
Even if you question God’s motives, and are so mad at Him it’s hard to breathe, tell Him. Get alone with Him. When it’s just you and Him, there’s no hiding, no running, no lying … just facing Him and the truth. Confront the raw truth of how you feel about your life. At that moment, you are humbled in a way you don’t expect. Your faith emerges behind the fear you’ve been living with, by merely asking Him why. God knows when you exercise your faith, and most of the time it’s not Him that needs to see it, it’s yourself.
I came across a passage when listening to a Bible study and couldn’t pass it up. God has that exciting way of taking you somewhere you didn’t expect, but needed to experience. The journey led me to a woman in the bible named Hannah. You may know the story but I didn’t, and I want to share it with you. It’s in 1 Samuel chapter 1, NKJV.
The Shattered Woman
Hannah was the wife of a man named Elkanah. He had another wife named Peninnah as well. (I don’t really know how to pronounce them either, so no worries). Peninnah had children with Elkanah, but Hannah couldn’t have children. Every year Elkanah made an offering to the Lord according to the Jewish faith. This offering involved animal sacrifice. When he would give portions of his offering for his family, he would always double Hannah’s amount. He was madly in love with her.
Being that Penninah was also Elkanah’s wife, she was in constant competition with Hannah. Not only did she share in the life of her husband, but she was also able to give him children. Peninnah provoked Hannah, trying to hurt her emotionally 1 Sam 1:6, NKJV. She was a constant threat to her, harassing her year after year. Peninnah was most likely jealous of Hannah because of the love Elkanah had for her. His offering for Hannah was always more than for Penninah. He loved her and blessed her, even in her brokenness.
Hannah felt hopeless
Year after year, she endured the aggravation from Peninnah. The rivalry between them really affected her. Despite her situation, Elkanah loved her, and it didn’t matter to him that she couldn’t have children. But it mattered to Hannah. She wouldn’t eat, but only wept 1 Sam 1:7. Hannah became bitter out of the overwhelming grief she experienced.
Have you ever felt that way?
Tightness in your chest, clenching your jaw, and putting on a fake smile. You feel forced to isolate and unable to move past the negativity. You don’t trust anyone. You’ve been so involved in the cycle of your own despair that you can’t see the way out. Frustration soon turns to apathy.
Bitterness is like a chisel to your spirit. It slowly breaks away the love in your heart until there’s nothing left. Your spirit becomes broken. It’s in desperate need of repair, but there is only One who can truly make you like new.
Hannah’s brokenness brought her to the point of no return.
She finally had enough. She decided to go to the altar during the yearly sacrifice and cry out to God. While there, she wept profusely to Him. She spoke to Him with her heart, not her voice. She prayed so hard the priest Eli thought she was drunk! Her lips moved but no words came out.
“O Lord of hosts, if You will indeed look on the affliction of Your maidservant and remember me, and not forget Your maidservant, but will give Your maidservant a male child, then I will give him to the Lord all the days of his life, and no razor shall come upon his head” 1 Sam 1:11. Hannah called to her Lord. She was pleading with Him to hear her and not forget her. Desperation turned to devotion to God.
She let it go
Hannah “poured out her soul” to Him 1 Sam 1:15. Once she placed all her grief on the Lord, she left it behind. She left her grief at that altar. Her faith in God overpowered any doubt from the life she was in the habit of living. Her spirit connected with Him through her suffering. She surrendered her sorrow to Him and never looked back. She finally ate again and felt restored! Many were blessed from her brokenness.
What changed in Hannah?
Her faith overpowered her fear
God honored her faith. She conceived a son and named him Samuel. When he was weaned from her but still a young boy, she fulfilled her promise to God. Hannah wanted him to live a life with God. She hoped for him to be blessed and covered by God’s grace. They traveled to the altar where she made the promise to God. After all her despair, she still followed through on her promise to devote Samuel to a life with God.
God kept His promise, and so did she
“As long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord” 1 Sam 1:28 Hannah promised. The faith in her heart prevailed over the misery of her situation. God blessed her, and she praised Him by offering Samuel to Him.
God protected Samuel, and he continued to live a holy life as one of God’s chosen. He ministered and judged all of Israel with righteousness. God blessed Hannah and Samuel very much. It all started with Hannah deciding to take up her cross, step out in faith, and give her sorrow to God. She was given a great blessing, but she may not have seen it without her brokenness.
In this world, we always have a choice. We live with the result of our choices, whether they are good or bad. Sometimes you have sorrows that push your faith into a dark place in your heart. You get used to it being there and start trusting things in the world. You may not notice your faith sinking deeper, especially if you aren’t turning to God with your needs. But without a relationship with Him, you become lukewarm in your faith.
Lukewarm is a dangerous territory
When you’re lukewarm, you’re not invigorated by God. You’re not broken by the world, you’re right in the middle. You go through the motions, but you’re neither cold or hot. You may go to church, but just because it’s part of your routine. There’s no craving for God. You keep trying to handle your life on your own without Him. “So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” Rev 3:16 .
God wants you to be filled with the Holy Spirit and make an effort for Him. When you feel you don’t need Him, you are on the road to destruction. The worst part is, you may not even notice. This happens more with people who are doing well in their life, believe it or not.
You are blessed in your brokenness
When you come to the point of sheer exhaustion from doing things your own way, your eyes start to see the truth. You face a choice between yourself and God. On your knees, blinded by your own tears, you face a moment of transformation. You are completely vulnerable, which breaks even the most prideful heart. That moment is when you have the opportunity to let God help you. You are not lukewarm, but instead burning with desire for Him because you realize you can’t do it on your own.
He will make a purpose where you didn’t know one existed
Hannah was barren, and she longed for a son. If she wasn’t utterly crushed in her spirit, she might not have prayed so hard to God. Her overwhelming desire for Him shattered her grief. She chose to give it to God instead of carrying her burden any longer. When God answered her prayer and gave her a son, it demonstrated the purpose of her anguish.
Let it go
I hope you feel encouraged to choose as Hannah did. Whatever is breaking your spirit right now, you do not have to handle it alone. Jesus is standing at your door and knocking. You can give it to Him. Let it go. He has a great purpose for your life. In every moment, both joy and despair, there is a purpose. Trials produce patience and help you grow in your spirit. The more you rely on Him, the more you will trust. You won’t go wrong in your faith when you take a chance on Him. You’re blessed in your brokenness because it brings you to a point of surrender. Call on God
What holds you back?
It’s hard to trust, especially when you’ve been burned. You’ve been hurt and you don’t trust anyone. Especially when you take a chance on someone only to find they’ve hurt you just like the others. God isn’t like that. He already chose you because He loves you. His intent is to help you, not hurt you. You can be confident He hears you when you call out to Him.
Here are a few reasons to help you confide in God:
1. Trusting Him is different
“It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man” Psalms 118:8, God says to trust in Him. He isn’t like the people who’ve hurt you. He loves you and already accepted you through His Son Jesus. You only need to believe.
2. He hears you
“The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles” Psalms 34:17,. You know that He is listening to your cry. When you are alone in your room and reaching out for Him, He hears you. If you don’t get the answer you expect, that doesn’t mean He isn’t listening. We are slaves of instant gratification. We always want things right now. God doesn’t work according to our will, we work according to His, in His time. He hears you, so keep reaching out in faith. He will help you.
3. You can ask Him for help
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14. When you are in a broken state it’s cathartic to let it out. Cry, yell, scream … do whatever you have to do to let it go and give it to God. He hears you and wants to help you. Ask Him for what you need. Maybe you don’t know what you truly need, and that’s ok. Ask Him to help you follow His will and submit. You may be surprised at what happens.
4. He will get you through it
“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, And delivered me from all my fears” Psalms 34:4, NKJV. Faith is not just believing He hears you, but that He can do something about your situation. The more you grow in your faith by trusting Him each day, you will start to see with your heart. You will notice how He helps you in ways that prove only possible by God. Putting your faith in Him frees you of the burden of fear. The fear of rejection, failure, and pain no longer hovers over you because in Jesus you are completely accepted and loved.
Being afraid of things you can’t control in the world don’t plague you once you give it to Him. Truly letting go and watching Him work is a glorious experience. You heal in ways you don’t expect. He knows your heart because you are His child. You will never go wrong turning to God for help.
I hope you trust in God in whatever is troubling you. I pray you hear His voice and find peace. You can be confident in Him. He loves you and accepts you for who you are through His Son Jesus Christ.
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