Are you facing a difficult situation that’s troubling you? Is your situation so overwhelming that you constantly keep thinking about it? Are you replacing meditation on the Word of God with worrying about your problem? My dear friend, worrying is attempting to solve the problem by yourself. Instead, God wants you to pray and cast your cares on Him, for He cares for you. If something is bothering you, it matters to Him too. He is waiting for you to hand over your burden to Him.

In 1 Samuel chapter 1, we see a season in Hannah’s life filled with deep distress. For many years, she endured sorrow and ridicule because she had no children. Her agony was so great that she wept bitterly year after year, especially during their visits to the temple at Shiloh for their annual family worship. She was consumed with worry and carried this burden within herself rather than depending on God.

However, in one particular year, she made a decision to surrender her pain to the Lord by pouring out her heart to Him in prayer. The Lord remembered her and spoke to her through Eli, the priest, who pronounced the blessing of the Lord over her and affirmed that her petition had been granted, asking her to go in peace.

Now, Hannah placed her complete trust in what the Lord had spoken. Instead of continuing in sorrow, she responded in faith. As a result, she was no longer sad. Her countenance changed, as she chose to be thankful instead of yielding to worry. In due time, the Lord faithfully fulfilled His promise. Hannah gave birth to a son, Samuel, and dedicated him back to the Lord, just as she had vowed.

Like Hannah, when we face challenging situations, we often tend to worry. But worrying accomplishes nothing; rather, it pulls us down spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and even physically. That’s why the Scriptures ask in Matthew 6:27, Can any one of you, by worrying, add a single hour to your life? Instead of worrying, we ought to choose to pray. Trusting in the Lord and casting our cares on Him is the way forward. By doing so, we acknowledge our dependence on the Lord, and He will be pleased to answer us. Once we receive the peace of God and His Word, we need to hold on to it.

Just as Hannah chose not to be sad once she received the Word from the Lord, we too need to make a deliberate decision not to worry, and to mix our faith with the Word. Choosing not to worry is, in itself, an act of faith. We can continue thanking God for the promise He has given. Our flesh may tend to worry, but our spirit will rejoice within us as we await the manifestation of the answer. At the right time, just as Hannah was blessed with Samuel, the Lord will ensure that the answer to our prayer is manifested in our lives. He is faithful and will never fail!!

God bless you!