My Dear Friend,

Hannah's story is well known (1 Samuel 1:1-18). Barren Hannah envied her female rival, Peninnah's, many children. And Peninnah, of course, delighted in reminding Hannah of her barrenness. So, daily, Peninnah was glad and Hannah sad.

Hannah, however, wasn't without rich blessings. Elkanah, her husband, loved her most, gave her plenty of intimate love, and a "worthy," or "double portion" (1 Samuel 1:5, ESV), of sacrificial food at festivals. Yet, to Hannah, all this meant nothing every time she turned her mind to what she wanted most, what she didn't have, what Peninnah had abundantly, and, strangely, what God would not let her have: children! Not once, but twice, we are told, "The Lord had shut up her womb" (1 Samuel 1:5-6). But there is a divine backstory that makes sense of this human nonsense.

Hannah was predestined for greatness in God's plan. She would be the mother of Israel's great prophet, Samuel. Peninnah, meanwhile, while blessed with children, had none of the rich blessings given Hannah. Elkanah did not love her the most. So, he probably did not have intimate relations with her as often, though her string of pregnancies made it look just the opposite. Nor did Elkanah bless Peninnah with a double portion at festivals. And most importantly, Peninnah was not foreordained to play a significant role in God's plan. So, with all Peninnah's disadvantages and Hannah's advantages, Hannah should have been content with her greater blessings.

But she wasn't! Every time Hannah conversed with Peninnah, she walked away vexed and fretful (1 Samuel 1:6-7). Miserably and inconsolably discontent, Hannah utterly devalued and neglected her blessings. Observant, Elkanah asked why she was grieved, weeping, and not eating her double portion? Then he asked a penetrating question that (1) exposed her inner soul-problem, and (2) revealed its only real solution. "Am not I better to thee than ten sons?" (1 Samuel 1:8). Hannah was so wrapped up in herself at the moment, I doubt she even heard him. Still blind to her soul sickness, she didn't even answer her husband.

But his statement had nevertheless identified her malevolent malady and it was a green, four-letter word: envy! Envy is angry discontentment at another having something one keenly desires oneself, but what rightfully belongs to them. Hannah desperately wanted children. Peninnah had them, and by right - she conceived, carried, and birthed them! So, Hannah had no cause against Peninnah, at least initially. Her "beef" was twofold. First, Peninnah's pitiless, relentless, inescapable needling. Second, God's failure to give Hannah the children she so greatly desired. So, at heart, Hannah was angry with Peninnah - and God! How could He justify giving her no children, yet giving many to that proud, rude, boastful, juvenile, and vindictive Peninnah!

As time passed, Hannah's vexation grew into a full-blown obsession. And depression. She was utterly blind to everything God had done for her and utterly riveted on what He had not done. The former meant nothing, the latter everything. Convinced she was a victim, when she was in fact blessed, she offered God not even one whimpering, half-hearted "thank you." She abandoned her blessings. The more her countenance was "sad," her heart "grieved," and her soul "in bitterness" (1 Samuel 1:8, 10), the more self-pity (and rage - envy's companion sin) consumed her. Finally, it all came to a head and she gave way to full-blown desperation.

But just then, though she was all wrong, she did one thing right. She turned to prayer. Desperate prayer. Life-altering prayer. Childlike prayer. Vow-making prayer! Hannah threw herself on God, pledging that, if He would give her a son, she would give him back to Him as a specially dedicated, set-apart Nazarite (1 Samuel 1:11; see Leviticus 6:1-21). With her heart poured out and soul exhausted, she relented, quietly trusting God to answer her in His time and way. Then it happened.

A powerful inner transformation began within Hannah. She soon became a consistently different person. Her envy withered. Her discontent died. Her self-pity ceased. Her anger at God dissipated. Thanksgiving arose in her heart and lips. Inspired prayer welled up and poured from her (see 1 Samuel 2:1-10). She hadn't received a miracle yet, but something far greater had happened. She was a miracle - a living miracle, a walking, talking miracle, a profoundly and permanently inwardly changed redeemed human being! This was a greater wonder than a long-barren woman finally producing a child. Even a prophet!

Make no mistake, this is the focal point of Hannah's scriptural portrait. Elkanah remained the same, Peninnah remained the same, her children remained the same, the household servants remained the same, God remained the same, and Hannah's barren womb remained the same, for the moment. But her inner life, her spirit and soul, were now free. The proof?

She now enjoyed the rich blessings she had and forgot those she didn't have. Nor does the sacred text say anything further about Peninnah or her children, implying they no longer vexed Hannah's newly sanctified mind. Verse 18 records for posterity God's victory in Hannah and Hannah's victory over her sins of envy, unthankfulness, offense at God, and neglect of her blessings: "So the woman [Hannah] went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad" (1 Samuel 1:18).

Examining more closely, "Went her way," or went about her normal activities, proves the matter was now in God's hands, not hers. Her burden was rolled away. "Did eat," proves she was now free to enjoy what God had given her, and did so regularly. "Her countenance was no more sad" shows her heart was now joyful, because she knew she had transacted life-changing business with God. It also implies she was steadily enjoying intimate relations and sweet fellowship with her husband, Elkanah (1 Samuel 1:19). So, her transformation, and sanctification, were complete. Now she was ready to step into her predestined role in God's plan - and birth a mighty prophet to bless God's people, and the whole world.

Are you ready to fulfill your role in God's great plan? Or are you wallowing in the mire of envy, anger at God, and self-pity? Is close, sweet communion with Jesus, your heavenly "Elkanah," better to you than ten "sons" - the blessings for which you long? Or are they better to you than Jesus? What are the "sons" for which you have been craving, or perhaps obsessing over? The things your perceived rivals have, but you have not?

A husband, or wife? Children? Discovering your biological parents? Success in business, or ministry? Educational degrees? Favor with friends? More money? A house of your own? An automobile? A new or better one? More congregants? A larger following? God's visible blessings on your work, mission, or ministry? Your children's love and respect? Or one of many other "sons"? Patiently, prayerfully ponder Hannah's spiritual failure until it seeds your spiritual success.

Face your envy, confess it to God, and reject it forever. Begin to thank God for what He's already given you, acknowledge His goodness in doing so, and thank Him for shutting the "womb" of your desires so He could cleanse your heart of the deadly cancers of envy, anger, discontent, and unthankfulness. To complete your spiritual victory, thank Him for blessing your "Peninnah." Yes, her and all her "children" (blessings). Openly tell Him He was right to bless her (him, or them) and has not wronged you by doing so.

Going further, acknowledge your "double portion" - the area of your life where Christ has exceptionally gifted or blessed you - and begin enjoying and using it daily, thankfully and diligently. Praise Him, your heavenly "Elkanah," for the immense privilege of living in His "house," the church, with all its provisions, protections, and blessings - chiefly Him! Then give yourself to Him intimately! Seek His face regularly in private prayer, Bible study, and songs of worship. And obey His Word in your daily tests. This will increasingly transform you. And as your transformation increases, it will increasingly transport you into God's presence. You will sense His presence with a regularity you never thought possible. Jesus explicitly promised this:

• "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me; . . . and I will love him, and I will manifest [make known to the bodily senses] myself to him . . . and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode [home, dwelling] with him."

                                                                                                                                                                                        -John 14:21, 23

There you will personally rediscover David's most precious discovery: "In thy presence is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11). Your Hannah story will become a hallelujah story. And you will spend the rest of your days saying, "You are better than ten, Lord," singing "You are all I need," and confessing Paul's apostolic proclamation, "I have learned, in whatever state I am, in this to be content [satisfied enough with what I have]" (Philippians 4:11). And one more blessing awaits.

You will be ready to fill your role in Christ's great plan for these last days. And who knows what Christ in you, by His Spirit in you, will "birth" through you?

Filling my role,

Dr. Greg Hinnant

GREG HINNANT MINISTRIES