WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE, HOW DO YOU REACT?

SCRIPTURE:
(1 Samuel 1:1-19)

MEDITATION:
As believers, what we say and how we react to situations is very important 
(not only for how others perceive us, but also for how we are rewarded).
 
Elkanah had 2 wives (Hannah and Peninnah) 
- not sure why he had two, but times were different back then.
At any rate, Peninnah was very fertile and could get pregnant easily.  
Hannah, on the other hand, was barren.
Penninah provoked Hannah 
by constantly reminding her that she was barren (to the point of irritating her).  
Her husband, Elkanah, tried to encourage Hannah, 
but she continued to become more distraught.
    
As her depression deepened, 
she went to the temple to talk to the Lord ("pour her heart out to Him").
While she was there, 
the priest (Eli) noticed that her lips were moving, but no one could hear any words.
Eli assumed she was drunk 
and even asked "how long she would continue to get drunk".
    
In her emotional state at the time, and knowing she had not drank any wine or beer, 
Hannah could have felt justified by "getting in Eli's face".  
 
But she didn't......know what she did?
    
In a calm manner, she explained to Eli that she was not drunk, 
but that she was troubled and was praying to the Lord 
out of "great anguish and grief".
Get this, she even called him "my lord", 
which showed respect (and not contempt) for Eli.
    
What were the results of her response?  
There were actually three results.
        1. Eli told her to "go in peace" 
           and asked that "the God of Israel would grant her requests".
        2. She was no longer downcast.
        3. She later gave birth to a son.
 
Too often we dig our hole even deeper by how we respond to situations in our life.
Being barren was a MAJOR issue, but we can learn a lot 
from how Hannah responded (especially when we know the circumstances).
Even though striking out in anger and frustration could be understood, 
she responded in a godly manner.
 
Also, we can see that some issues cannot be resolved 
in any other manner than taking them to the Lord.
Elkanah tried to help, but his best efforts 
did not lift Hannah out of the state of depression she was in.
 
ACTION:
What do you do first when you have major issues?
Do you try to resolved them yourself, in your own strength,
or do you take them to the Lord?
Are you cognizant of how your reactions will impact others?
Does your self-centeredness prevent you 
from considering your influence on others?   

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, make me aware of how my reactions can impact others. 
Help us to be more like you every day, and teach me to allow the Holy Spirit 
to control EVERY aspect of my life. My desire is to point others to You and 
not turn them away from You as a result of what they see in me.”