Bitterness Is A Hope Drainer

In I Samuel chapter one is the story of a woman named Hannah. Her husband, Elkanah had two wives: Hannah and Penninnah. Penninnah was able to bear children, but Hannah was not. Back in this time period, that was considered a disgrace. It didn’t matter to her husband. Elkanah loved Hannah so much, he gave her a double portion at meal times because he knew she felt inferior as a wife. Peninnah was a hope drainer. She took every opportunity to say, “Nanny, nanny, boo, boo!” to her rival. Hannah was not impervious to these awful words. She wept and even refused to eat. It is rough when you feel like you have been praying for something forever and it seems like no one, even God, understands the depths of your despair. Elkanah could not figure it out. He was obviously concerned and told her that she meant more to him, then if she gave him ten sons, but Hannah did not care. In verse ten, we see a little bit more insight into this woman. She went with her husband to the synagogue to pray.

"In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord."

The definition of bitterness is: Having or being a taste that is sharp acrid, and unpleasant, causing a sharply unpleasant, painful, or stinging sensation, marked by resentment or cynicism.

I don’t think her entire prayer was this beautifully worded plea. We aren’t told her entire prayer. It is very interesting to me that none of the bitter words she uttered to God are printed in scripture. The only words we have are the vow she made to God.

I Samuel 1:11 (NIV): And she made a vow, saying, "O Lord Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

She continued to pray. Eli, the priest observed Hannah and assumed she was drunk! Rather then being offended she shares her story and prayer to the Lord. Eli must have seen what God saw in Hannah’s vow.

In verse 17, Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him."

Hannah immediately dried her tears and went to eat something. She replaced her bitterness with hope. For years, she was bitter. She was angry. She pouted. She pleaded. She prayed. She wept. Hannah was so consumed with bitterness, she could only see the thing that was wrong with her. She was oblivious to anything positive, such as her husband loving her unconditionally. It was not until she made the vow with God, trusting him no matter what, that she received the answer she desperately wanted: YES!

The story ends marvelously with Hannah conceiving a beautiful baby that she named Samuel whose name means: "Because I asked the LORD for him."

In the end, Hannah’s biggest trial was transformed into a beautiful testimony of God giving her the desire of her heart.

I have a girlfriend that was unable to have children. I have seen her cry over it. It is a deep wound in her life. But rather then pout, or being angry, she works in the children’s ministry volunteering her time. For Christmas, she hands out free babysitting to her friends, and takes the kids to Chuck E. Cheese. She buys different children Christmas presents every year. She attends baby showers, and talks about how much fun she had shopping for a baby. Because of her love for children, family after family has been blessed by her generosity. Rather then having one or two kids, she has hundreds in her arms.

When you find bitterness eating away at your unfulfilled dreams, pray your way through the bitterness. God isn’t in shock to find out that your bitter. He is a mind reader. So, pray! Tell him all about it. Bitterness drains any hope out of the situation. Trust God to answer the way he sees best. Purge your bitterness through prayer, and then lift your head high. God has heard you!

Psalm 37:4 (NIV) declares: Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Copyright 2007 Michelle Rocker