I Samuel 1:16
“Do not consider your maidservant as a worthless woman, for I have spoken until now out of my great concern and provocation.”
Hannah was accused by the high priest as being drunk while praying at the temple. She explains herself. This is interesting as I usually see explanations as defensive and choose not to give them. However there are times when they are necessary.
Hannah had put all her hope in God and this temple visit was important. The high priest was a key figure. To have him intervene on her behalf would be helpful. In her mind she had to clarify the situation.
We need to clarify matters if our loved ones and friends misunderstand. Relationships could be damageds and trust eroded if one has the wrong idea. Not everything needs an explanation. Just those that could be harmful.
I began by commenting that explanations seem defensive. No one likes to be misunderstood. If we have insecurities, our identity is easily threatened. The misunderstandings feel like a bigger issue than they really are. Our anxiety is heightened whenever we sense a misunderstanding. So, the insecure person may clarify too much.
A step in maturity for this person is to resist the urge to clarify. It helps to process the anxiety to know that the issue isn’t significant. One begins to see the difference between circumstances that require a defense and those that do not. Hannah’s issue needed to be addressed.
Lord, help us to not be hurt by every misunderstanding. Give us discernment as to when to explain ourselves.