Devotion: 1 Samuel 1:12-16

Oh, this one is going to be good for our souls! Let's get started...

Read 1 Samuel 1:12-16.

Follow the example of Hannah in these verses and take time right now to pour out your heart to God. I want you to write Him a letter...or email. I did this a few nights ago and was amazed at what was truly on my heart. I wept before the Lord bringing Him all the worries, thoughts, hurts, doubts, sin, and gratitude that was in my heart. Relish this time. Let Him in. Allow Him to break down the walls around your heart. Allow Him to minister to your broken heart.

Look at Hannah's statements to Eli. She says that she is a women with a broken heart. She is taking her hurt and her resentment (verse 16) to the Lord. Think about that right now.

Where do you take your hurts? Do you run to a friend? Do you call your spouse? Do you bury it deep within yourself and build more walls? Do you ignore it and live in denial of any hurts at all? Do you let it become a grudge or bitterness towards whatever or whoever hurt you?

Or...do you follow Hannah's example here and pour your broken heart our before the Lord?

My parents divorced when I was young. When my mother remarried my stepfather, my dad felt like he should just leave. I didn't see him...until I was married...and not since. He's never seen my children. He has never wanted to see me. I felt abandoned and very worthless for most of my life. It flowed into my marriage, parenting, friendships, family, and most of all it bled into my relationship with God.

As I began to pour my broken heart out to my Lord and read of His precious love for me...I received healing. Day by day. Moment by moment some days. Breath by breath. It was a slow journey that required I trust Him with my whole heart. It wasn't easy to trust anyone with my heart. But, as I read His Word daily...I began to learn about who He really is. I began to love Him and His Words. Then, slowly I trusted Him with my heart and my hurts. It was a deeply personal journey for me. But, daily I love and trust Him more as I journey life breathing His Word in each day. It's the only way I survive.

You've been hurt. We all have...because we live in a fallen world filled with sinful people. The question this morning is where will you go with that hurt today? In the depths of your pain, hurt, and even resentment...pray. Talk to Him. literally pray from the depth of you heart and receive His healing.

I love you girls...

THRIVE!
Frances