Crying Out in Faith

Have you ever walked through a season of long suffering, of crying out in pain?

Have you ever felt as if your life was defined by sorrow?

If so, you are not alone.

I, too, have walked through much loss, grief, and disappointment. It really does bring a familiar comfort knowing that we aren’t alone.

I have also found comfort in realizing that we have sisters in the faith who have a similar story that we get to learn from in the Bible. This hero in the faith is Hannah. She is known for her sorrow, but also known for her faithfulness, obedience, and sacrifice. 

One of the many lessons that I have learned these past few years is the wisdom in knowing when to speak and when to remain silent.

Betrayal and divorce was just the triggering of the domino toppling, which has continued on for years. It has had a ripple effect that has been long standing. Divorce wasn’t just an end of a marriage, but a division of family, assets, friends, and so much more. Life didn’t get easier after signing those court documents—it became harder and more difficult.  

After being stripped from the future I thought would be mine, I became a target of stalking and harassment. My heart had already been broken, but it felt as if they were after my soul. The relentless and non-stop blows from another woman was a battle I was not prepared for. 

In 1 Samuel 1:6–7 we learn that Hannah’s rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat.

Yet, even in her safe place—her place of prayer—she was falsely accused of being drunk of all things!

She was so focused on prayer and moving her lips, but not speaking. The priest assumed she was out of her mind! I’ll give the priest the benefit of the doubt as I, too, have been asked by my own children who I am talking to as they have heard me talk through my thoughts and pray alone in the shower.

The act of faith and holding tight to hope as we are crying out in faith may look crazy to those on the outside. 

In Hannah’s brokenness, she continued to pray and plead for her heart’s desire. In her valley of shame, disappointment, and abuse she remained steady with a pure heart, a humble spirit and a resilient hope. 

Christ is our defender. Christ is our rescuer. 

It is through Christ and Christ alone that we can go from strength to strength. Even as we wait, even as we hold tight to an enduring hope.

Christ is the ultimate authority, even when people speak out against us. 

There is no record of Hannah ever lashing out against those who spoke poorly about her. She has set the standard for us all. Instead of retaliating insult for insult or taking matters into her own hands, Hannah reminds us that having a firm foundation and a hope in the source of life is where we will experience peace and an untouchable joy. 

I want to encourage you today that the Lord sees it all.

The Lord saw me in my distress. As I walked through a court trial recently, the Lord vindicated me. He cleared my name. He set the record straight. 

I believe with all my heart that God uses the harshest of circumstances in our lives to prepare us for the place and influence He has created us for.

Had Hannah’s womb not been closed and had she not been tormented by Peninnah, would she have experienced the intimacy and dependance on the Lord year after year? Would she have recognized her need for a rescue?

Her pain set her up for her greatest gift, her son. 

Our pain and crying out in faith will lead us to our purpose as long as we endure well and never lose hope.