February 3, 2024 

Bring Your Hurt to God

Rev. Gayle Heyward 

1 Samuel 1:10-In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.

Hannah was in deep anguish crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. Think of a moment that caused you deep hurt.  Perhaps you were unfairly criticized by someone close to you.  Maybe you had a dream that you couldn’t make happen, or maybe a situation left you feeling alone, unloved, or unwanted.  What did you do when you reached your breaking point?

Unable to have children in a culture that based her worth on that ability, Hannah found herself judged, hurting, and desperate- and she ran to God for help.  When we experience hurt, we can follow Hannah’s example and bring it before the Lord. Here are 3 reasons why:

• He Brings Comfort

In Matthew Jesus encourages us to come to Him with our troubles. “Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matt 11:28 

Before Hannah left the Temple the priest spoke these words to her “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant the request you’ve made of Him”

Our God is a Good Father and like any good father, He wants to comfort us when we are hurting. He knows exactly what we need to find peace. For Hannah, this peace came through the words of someone else. God brings comfort in many ways, and by coming to God with our heartbreak, we open ourselves up to the abundant peace only the Lord can provide.

• He Brings Joy

You will make known to me the way of life: In Your presence is fullness of Joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever. Psalm 16:11

During difficult seasons, joy can be found by keeping our hearts and minds focused on God.  Because Hannah went to the Lord with her pain, she showed that she trusted Him, and God provided her with the strength she needed to persevere despite her challenges. Hannah probably didn’t leave the temple that day feeling happy about her circumstances, but she did leave with the knowledge of God’s goodness, and that was enough for her to keep going.

In the same way, when we stay focused on Jesus, He will help us experience the joy of the Lord, no matter what situation we are facing.

• He Brings Healing and Growth

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds Psalm 147:3

God healed Hannah’s heart and He wants to heal yours as well.  But healing often takes time. Hannah didn’t see healing immediately, she had to wait to see God’s goodness revealed. 

Waiting can be a challenge, but God promises that we do not have to wait alone! God wants to be near us during our heartbreak, to comfort us, but also to help us grow.  The nearer we are to God, the more we can lean into Him, when times are hard, and prepare for the healing to come. Amen.