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Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. 1 Samuel 1:10 (NLT)

Do you ever grow tired of hearing how good God is? Sick of those annoying people who tell you all about how God miraculously provided for them. How He answered their prayers and made everything okay? If so you are not alone. Many people in the Bible (and all through history) have asked the same question: “So…Where are you God?”

Job did it. He was considered the most holy and wise man of his time. Well respected, rich, good family, generous. Yet he suffered emotionally, physically and spiritually for no apparent reason. Hannah was another person who endured years of anguish with no relief from God.

Hannah was one of two wives who shared a husband named Elkanah. During this period in history it wasn’t unusual for a man to have more than one wife. But Hannah had a problem. She had no children. Her counterpart, Peninnah, had been blessed with two sons. In societies eyes this gave her more prestige than Hannah.

Not only was she looked upon more highly by society, Peninnah used her status as a weapon of mass humiliation towards Hannah. Every day, for years she reminded Hannah that it was SHE who had provided sons to Elkanah. Every morning when Hannah rose from bed she would see those two boys and be reminded that, in her eyes, she was a failure.

Hannah was a Godly woman. She believed in the God of heaven and did all the rituals and sacrifices that the law required. She obeyed God, loved her husband and prayed constantly. It’s no surprise that her prayers usually centered on her desire to have children. Finally, after years of having no answer from God, I Samuel 1:10 tells how Hannah bitterly prayed to God one day in the temple. Her prayer was so fervent, so agonizing and so emotional that the priest on duty thought she was drunk!

When she was done praying and explaining to the priest her situation she was told by him that she would soon be blessed with an answer. Hannah went home and within a year she saw and held the answer to her prayers. She had a baby!

In the midst of her despair Hannah no doubt asked the same question we all do: “Where are you God? Why won’t you answer my prayers? Why are you letting me live in such misery?” Some people have even given up on believing in God all together because of His silence.

When life seems unbearable and God seems completely absent, learn a lesson from the story of Hannah. Even though Hannah was being emotionally abused by Peninnah, she never retaliated in any way and from all appearances she remained true to her husband. Hannah’s faith never ever waivered concerning God’s ability to work in her life.

Another thing we can learn from Hannah is the importance of persistent prayer in the midst of turmoil. Hannah was a devoted wife and godly woman regardless of whether God answered her prayers of not. Much as she wanted to have a baby, she knew her self-worth was not wrapped up in a baby. Her self-identity came from her faith in God.

Lastly, even though she did not bear children to Elkanah, he loved her deeply. There may be times in our lives when it seems all of life is falling apart. When life is at its worst it is crucial to surround yourself with those who love and support you. The enemy wants to alienate you from your support system. Don’t allow that to happen. You are loved. You are loved by God and others. Don’t let the enemy tell you otherwise.

PRAYER: Father God. I’m tired of feeling like I am under constant attack and scrutiny by those around me. I want so much to believe in You, but it seems like all my prayers go unanswered and right now, to be honest, I doubt you even exist. If you do, I question whether you really love me or are concerned about me. Help me to find you like Hannah did. I need to know that you love me and that you have my best interests in mind. Lead me to people who will show me the love and support I need so desperately. Amen.