I Samuel 1:8
‘Then Elkanah her husband said to her, “Hannah, why do you weep and why do you not eat and why is your heart sad? Am I not better to you than ten sons?”’
We all have difficulties. We gain comfort when we have a support group that can help lighten the load. Unfortunately Hannah’s husband didn’t understand her. The Lord put within ladies a maternal drive. They want children. On top of this, the other wife had several kids and would provoke Hannah to the point of tears. Her husband couldn’t see this. Instead he made it about himself, “Am I not better to you than ten sons?”
Hannah felt alone. Her own husband didn’t see her. Not having someone to hear us doubles the burden. We tend to lose perspective and sink into depression at these times. Our humanness makes things worse.
On the contrary, having a supportive friend cuts the burden in half. Jesus speaks of how he lifts burdens by yoking up with people (Matthew 11:29). A team of oxen have their fellows to share the load. So a listening, supportive ear lightens the load. Hannah had no one.
Psalm 23 speaks of how the Lord is with us “in the valley of the shadow of death.” While Hannah isn’t dying, it’s a dark experience. As we trust Him, He will somehow work it out for good. We need to see these times as opportunities. While this is harsh advice to the depressed, it is true. We will soon find out how the Lord uses this with Hannah.
Lord, thank You that You help us in these times. Thank You for the good people that help us with the load. Be with us when we feel alone.