Many years ago I picked up a little Bible Study workbook by Fran Sciacca, called To Run and Not Grow Tired. These studies tell of Bible characters going through times of trauma, hurt or depression and how they handled a specific difficult circumstance. For each of them it was a circumstance that could have spread its menacing shadow over every aspect of their lives. Instead, they showed us how we can surrender our hardship to the Great Physician of our soul for healing and growth.
I may capture the essence of some of these studies in the
next while, but I wish to begin with the one that had a memorable impact on me
during those years. It was based on the story of Hannah. Aside from
her pain of infertility, she had a rival by the name of Peninnah who provoked
her endlessly in order to irritate her. This
went on for years, leaving Hannah crushed and in great anguish. The Bible says
that in bitterness of soul Hannah wept much and prayed to the Lord, gaining
strength only in His presence. She sought God out as all knowing, her rock, her guardian
and her deliverer,
In the discussion time of our study, I came to realize that
any one of us can have a "Peninnah" in our life and it is how we respond and whom
we take this to that makes all the difference. My greatest temptation in my relationship to the “Peninnah”
in my life was to talk about my hurt to others, which I did. Many times I felt
so insulted and became very angry. One day, in the midst of washing my floors,
a song hit me with a truth not to be forgotten . . .
“If I never had a problem, I wouldn’t know that God could solve it,
I wouldn't know what faith in God could do.
Through it all, through it all I’ve learned to
trust in Jesus,
I’ve learned to trust in God.”
The words of that song kept encouraging me and allowed me to
realize that it is only through difficulties that we see what God can do - while growing us in character. It also helped me to understand how I might be a "Penninah" in some one's life. It
took many years but, by the grace of God,
today she is a different person. I know that God has worked in both of us, but
I still see it as a miracle, to feel the difference in our relationship.
My experience taught me that God is able to change a judgmental heart, as
well a heart of bitterness for feeling hurt. It could just be that I have
learned just as much from the people who have hurt me than from the ones who
have always been kind.
6 comments:
Great post, food for thought!
How true that often we grow more on the difficult things in our life. And I've often thought how much all of us love a miracle - but don't most miracles follow some heartbreaking circumstance?
Your comments reminded me of a book I read years ago called Irregular People...
Anneliese - you have hit a chord within me! Sometimes I feel like I'm Penninah by the way I react or "talk about" someone who's supposedly wronged me (or at least I feel they have). I am learning to take these hurts to the Lord - oh how I need to keep doing this! Your words are such an encouragement to me and the book you've mentioned sounds like a very good study! Thanks!
What wise words! Thank you for reminding us of God's promises!
This post has really hit home with me Anneliese. I have had a Penninah for 50 years now and have suffered silently, quietly, feeling smaller and smaller whenever I am in Penninah's presence.
Your post has given me much to think about and wonder too if I am a Penninah in someone else's life. I like to think that I am not.
I have just mentioned about my Penninah for the very first time ever to anyone. I feel that I will be stronger with a new understanding of this situation the next time I see her and what "I" need to do.
Audrey.
Dear Audrey, my heart goes out to you and I understand. I'm praying for you.
Because of your post, I know that you understand.
Thank you for your kind reply, I find it very encouraging.
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