Thinking About Hurt Spiritually
Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”
1 Samuel 1:19-20 (NIV)
God permits Hannah to experience excruciating pain to help the nation progress.
Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife, has children while Hannah remains childless. Peninnah is petty and torments Hannah about her childlessness. Peninnah provokes Hannah annually during family worship trips. Elkanah gives Hannah a double portion, acknowledging her pain, but it’s not the solution. Elkanah doesn’t understand Hannah’s distress.
Hannah’s hurt drives her to pray at church. Hannah’s deep hurt leaves her with nothing to pray about except her pain. Hannah prays for a child, silently, catching the attention of Eli. Eli discerns Hannah’s prayer and assures her that God will grant her request.
Hannah must believe in God despite no visible evidence. Hannah’s pain is allowed by God to birth Samuel, a significant prophet. Samuel bridges the judges’ period to the monarchy, anointing Saul and David. Samuel impacts God’s people forever.
Hannah’s hurt is part of her ministry to fulfill God’s will. God allows Hannah’s deep hurt to shape her for her role. God uses hurt as a tool to accomplish His will.
We should view our hurts spiritually, as unavoidable and part of God’s plan. Processing hurt spiritually prevents resentment and aligns us with God’s purposes. God’s sovereignty incorporates our hurts into His will. Hannah teaches us to think spiritually about hurt and not settle for mere signs.
Hurt is an indicator of needed change, not a permanent state. Hurt signals a need for intervention, growth, or surrender. Pain can inspire praise because it signals a coming change.
Hannah never blames God but prays instead. Hannah trusts God to address her pain without accepting blame herself. The key theological question in suffering is about God’s nature, not His actions. Hannah must not settle for signs but pursue God’s ultimate purpose. Signs are tools of encouragement, not endpoints, in God’s plan.
