The prophet Samuel's mother, Hannah, could not have children. It was her great sorrow and pain. Once, when the family went to the Lord's temple, she went there and prayed a silent prayer for healing from infertility. A thought struck me: Do we have room for sorrow in our faith preaching? We cannot pretend that everything is only joy and victory. Suffering is a part of life, and it can come in different ways. Difficult times can come to everyone, both preachers as well as "ordinary people".

In the story of Hannah, it is said that she was "provoked and plagued" by her co-wife Penninah, for she was fertile and had many children.

About Hannah it says:

“And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed to the Lord and wept in anguish.”

1 Samuel 1:10 (NKJV)

She prayed long and silently from her heart and only moved her lips. The priest Eli thought she was drunk, something she strongly denied. Hannah explained that she had a "heavy sorrow in her heart."

“I have poured out my soul before the Lord.”

1 Samuel 1:15 (NKJV)

Then Eli said the liberating words to her:

“Go in peace, and the God of Israel grant your petition which you have asked of Him.”

1 Samuel 1:17 (NKJV)

The following year Hannah gave birth to the boy Samuel, Israel's great prophet.

Can something good come out of sorrow and pain? This narrative is a resounding yes to that! In need, we pray prayers that reach God's heart. They are not superficial, but born out of a heart in distress. Such prayers please God. The Bible often speaks of crying out to God in times of need. Bring your sorrow to God today: The pain of loneliness, the pain of sickness, pain due to unanswered prayers, pain due to unemployment, pain because you have been treated unjustly at work, been passed over, pain because family and friends have not been saved, etc. Bring it all to Him who can turn night into day and “supply all your needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19 NKJV).

All blessing comes from Jesus. May the Lord bless you today!