She prayed with her whole soul at the tabernacle. ⁣

“She was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the Lord, and wept sore.” (1 Samuel 1:10)⁣

Her husband didn’t understand. ⁣

“Why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?” (1 Samuel 1:8)⁣

Why do you care so much?⁣

Why so much emotion?⁣

What’s even going on? ⁣

The priest Eli didn’t understand either. ⁣

“Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.” (1 Samuel 1:14)⁣

Too many feelings. ⁣

Too much emotion. ⁣

This can’t be right. ⁣

Hannah’s heartfelt, heartbroken, sincere emotions were misunderstood by those around her. ⁣

Was she crazy? Could she be trusted? ⁣

And yet those deep emotions, that deep bitterness, led her to the Lord. ⁣

Led her to make a sacred vow. ⁣

Gave her both the broken heart and the spiritual confidence to ask for what she wanted. ⁣

Paved the way for a son to be brought into her life, one who would eventually bless all of Israel. ⁣

Hannah felt pain and sorrow and she wasn’t afraid to express it. ⁣

And when the blessing came?⁣

So much joy that she couldn’t contain that, either. ⁣

“And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the Lord, mine horn is exalted in the Lord: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation.” (1 Samuel 2:1)⁣

I am grateful for this emotional, spiritually strong woman. ⁣

And I’m thankful for the strong emotions each of us can experience, even if misunderstood by others at the time, that can lead us closer to God.

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post Emotional Hannah first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.

We are sent into this world with so much going in our favor, regardless of our physical circumstances. ⁣

We are here on a beautiful earth. ⁣

We are given bodies that are totally unique and have been especially created for us, with minds that can think and problem-solve. ⁣

We are given the light of Christ to point our consciences toward good and righteous things. ⁣

And we are given a Savior who keeps rushing to our assistance every single time we make a mistake, as long as we sincerely call on Him for help. ⁣

And so can you imagine how Jesus Christ feels when we actively choose to turn away from Him?⁣

“They are the workmanship of mine own hands, and I gave unto them their knowledge”. (Moses 7:32)⁣

Christ weeps. ⁣

Not to try and guilt us into choosing the right. ⁣

Not to shame us. ⁣

Not to make us feel bad for Him. ⁣

But He weeps because He knows what brings true happiness and peace, and He is so sad to see us bring more pain into our lives. ⁣

Christ weeps out of pure compassion. ⁣

Pure love. ⁣

As our Creator, as someone who has given us absolutely everything, He weeps. ⁣

He has probably wept for you and wept with you many times. ⁣

He loves you so much and He cares so much about the decisions you are making each day. ⁣

What does it mean to you to know that the Lord weeps?

Happy Studying!

-Cali Black

The post The Lord weeps first appeared on Come Follow Me Study with Cali Black.