Choosing to believe in God's goodness, that He cares

As I spent my quiet time this morning, I reflected on easily I am stirred by circumstances, or by things that I hold tightly. As I spent my quiet time this morning, I came across 1 Samuel 1, and was struck by how Hannah's faith kept her strong and even gave her hope.

Here she was, in an endless and hopeless struggle, being provoked was one thing; genuinely desiring to have a child is yet another "right" of a lady. In all fairness, all she wanted was just a child. Was she asking for too much? No. But even so, she was denied this for years. Naturally she was depressed.

6 And because the LORD had closed her womb, her rival kept provoking her in order to irritate her. 7 This went on year after year... 10 In bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the LORD. 11 And she made a vow, saying, "O LORD Almighty, if you will only look upon your servant's misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the LORD for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head."

15 ... Hannah replied, "I am a woman who is deeply troubled... I was pouring out my soul to the LORD 16 ... I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief." 17 Eli answered, "Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him." 18 She said, "May your servant find favor in your eyes." Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

But the transformation came when she has finally prayed a prayer, surrendering what she held so dearly to God. Yes it does sound a bit like she bargained with God (i.e. "if you grant me this, then I will..."). But she prayed at the altar, laid down her struggles, accepted the priest's blessings and was no longer downcast. Years of pain, almost instantaneous relief!

I may not be depressed like Hannah, but I do have some struggles esp. at work with tight time pressures mounting. Claiming 1 Peter 5:7 "Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." He will provide me the way out :)