Do you have persistent troubles in your life? Are there concerns or issues that have plagued you for years? And even though other areas of your life are working well, you still find a great dissatisfaction because of this one little big problem.
Hannah was one such woman. She was knows about the duplicity of life—how it be both the best of times and the worst of times simultaneously. She had the love and favor of her husband that gave her a double portion. Even with the abundance of her portion, it didn’t take Hannah’s eyes of the emptiness of her barren womb. Her extra portion didn’t silence the taunting of rival wife or the inner turmoil she felt about her condition.
No doubt she had brought her concern to her husband many, many times. Yet he didn’t understand her plight. He asked her were he not better to her than 10 sons. Although it might be easy to take offence to her husband’s lack of understanding, I would imagine we have all been the one trying to silence the complaints of a friend by directing their attention to all the positives in their life.
There are times when others just can’t make sense of what is ailing you. Hannah learned the safest place to pour out her troubles.
“I am a woman who is deeply troubled…I was pouring out my soul to the LORD.” (1 Samuel 1:15, NIV).
And it would do us well to follow Hannah’s example, although we all can appreciate the listening ears of others. Come too often and those listening ears no longer welcome hearing the same troubles. Other times, they offer of us advice that has no real way of silencing the pain within our souls.
photo credit: alphadesigner via photopin cc
I appreciate you wise and timely gift today!!!
Blessings
Jody recently posted..A Little Taste of Heaven
Blessings to you Jody. What a pleasant surprise to see you stop by. Hope all is well with you & yours.
“I would imagine we have all been the one trying to silence the complaints of a friend by directing their attention to all the positives in their life.” Such a timely and need word, Wanda. Sometimes I find myself trying to silence myself, trying to convince myself that the “little” problem is no big deal because there are so many other good things in my life. May we all press in and pour out to the God who truly understands.
LaVonne recently posted..Come Undone
Such a good point LaVonne. I think sometimes we are guilty of trying to convince ourselves to not even bother God about a particular issue in our lives because all of the goodness we already have. But He did say we could bring all of our cares to Him.
This is so good, Wanda! Convicting too. We can’t always understand what others are going through nor can we always rely on others to help us heal from life’s trials. We just need to go to the Healer. We can pour out our soul to Him and trust Him to take care of us.
Angel @ Finding The Inspiring recently posted..Where Brave Is Born
No we can’t always fully grasp one another’s pain. I know there have been times I was on the receiving end of well meaning encouragement that only felt mere platitudes at the time.
Oh, MAN this is so true. I’ve tried and tried to talk to God about it, and I know he’s listening although it doesn’t feel like he’s even hearing me. I keep hoping the miracle I asked for will come through. I feel like I’m bugging him, but I have to keep saying it because it’s still there. I can’t bear to give up because if I do, I’m afraid he’ll be all “Oh, you gave up too soon! I was just about to do it!” 😛
The fact that there is nothing else to move on to makes me feel like it’s not time to give up.
Hmmm such a great point Elizabeth. Knowing when to hang on and when to give up isn’t always so easy to determine. May you continue to keep asking, seeking, and knocking my friend.
What a wonderful message Wanda. I find myself often discouraged and helpless when trying to encourage and build someone up (when they continue to be depressed and look at all the negatives in life). Even when we are on the giving end we must give it to our Father and NEVER tire of trying to help, cheer, and inspire those who need words of love and encouragement.
Blessings to you for such a blessed reminder! Have a wonderful week!
Denise
Denise recently posted..Debt of Love
Very wise words Denise. Hope you week is a productive one my friend.
sometimes all we need is a listening ear. And God is always ready to listen.
Nutschell
http://www.thewritingnut.com
A listening ear can certainly be a big help.
A great message, Wanda. Yes, sometimes I have been the one to silence a friend’s complaints – and much more often, I feel like I have been the one silenced.
It’s good to have human ears to talk to, and human shoulders to cry on – but nothing beats the strong arms of a Savior. He is always there, and always willing to listen to the deepest cries of our hearts. Even the ones that we can’t utter without the Spirit’s groanings.
GOD BLESS!
Sharon recently posted..GOD IS SHAPING ME – A Poem
So true Sharon. Some times we can’t really articulate what matters most to us.
Awesome post.
denise recently posted..Peeling away the layers
Thanks Denise.