For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord – Isaiah 55:8.

Have you ever asked God, why aren’t you doing something? I think we all have asked that question at one time or another.

Elkanah had two wives, one was named Peninnah and the other one was Hannah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. Yearly they would go to Shiloh to worship and to sacrifice to the Lord. On their way there Peninnah was taunting Hannah because she had children and she didn’t.

She did this consistently whether they were going to worship in Shiloh or at home; Hannah was always reminded she didn’t have children. During this dispensation, women who didn’t have children were looked down upon.

This time, on their way to Shiloh, Peninnah provoked Hannah to the point that she was crying and didn’t want to eat. Elkanah tried to comfort Hannah by telling her how much he loved her. However, the confirmation of his love was not going to resolve the problem of her being fertile and the provocation she received daily and yearly from Peninnah.

After they had eaten Hannah goes into the temple to pray. While praying Eli the prophet saw her praying and assumed she was drunk because her lips were moving but he didn’t see words coming out of her mouth. He confronted her and asked how long will she be drunk and to put away her wine.

She’s already in turmoil with Peninnah, she’s hurting because she’s fertile now the prophet is telling her she’s a drunkard and she’s living the best she knows how for God. After explaining the situation to the prophet he told her to go in peace, God was going to grant her petition.

Hannah returned home and God granted her petition, she became pregnant and had a baby boy, whom she named Samuel. Have you been in situations where it seems as though everything is coming against you; you’re praying asking God for help and it seems He’s nowhere around?

When you are going through these types of situations, remember, that God sees all, there is nothing that He does not see. Take confidence in His Word (For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end – Jeremiah 29:11). Nothing can come upon us or against us unless God allows it.

Just because you’re not practicing sin does not mean you will not go through difficulties, hurt, pain, or disappointments. There are always new levels for us to grow in the Spirit, but there is also a process we must go through, and it’s not always a bed of roses.

God hears your prayers and in His appointed time He will answer your prayer, but in the meantime, don’t stop praying, fasting, reading, and studying the Bible. Keep attending worship services, continue to do good towards others and as you do so, you are building your faith in God and not what you see.

When you get busy doing for someone else, you’re placing someone else’s need before yours and God sees that. He will reward you for your faithfulness and concern about someone else. God is always taking something out of us and placing more of Him in us.

What you’re going through is not greater than the elevation God is taking you to!