IMITATE THEIR FAITH-She Opened Her Heart to God in Prayer

Hannah busied herself with preparations for the trip, trying to keep her mind occupied. It should have been a happy time;  Elkanah, her husband, has customarily  taken the whole family on these annual journeys to worship at the tabernacle in Shiloh.  Jehovah meant for such occasions to be joyful.  (Deuteronomy 16:15) And no doubt Hannah and her childhood had delighted in those festivals.  But things had changed for her in recent years. 

She was blessed to have a husband who loved her. However, Elkanah had another wife. Her name was Peninnah, and she seemed devoted to making Hannah's life miserable. Peninnah had figured out a way to make even these annual occasions a source of acute pain for Hannah. How?  More to the point how did Hannah's faith in Jehovah help her to cope with what often seemed like an impossible situation?  If you face challenges that sap you of joy in life,   you may find Hannah's story particularly moving. 

Next time: IMITATE THEIR FAITH-"Why does Your Heart Feel Bad?" 

From the Watchtower magazine, 2010