PATIENCE(Lessons to learn in the life of Hannah) 1Samuel Chapter 1

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What is patience? It simply means to be able to endure,waiting for an assurance that it will come,and not in a haste.

As an individual,we need to be patience in everything,we shouldn't let our uncontrolled mind to spoil everything. When we are facing some challenges in our lives,we should be patience enough to solve it peacefully,as they say "a patience dog eats the fattest bone".

When we are passing through some difficulties,we should always be patience to handle it and turn to God for solution. When we look unto God for solution,although some answers are not immediately but we should be patience so that we will be happy at the end.

I studied the life of Hannah so much. She is an example of a patience woman. Though,she was barren and have always be mocked by the younger wife of her husband but she stood on her ground and was patience enough to look unto God.

There are lessons to learn in the life of Hannah that we all must follow and adhere to it.

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1 Hannah never allowed her problems to take her away from God

In 1Samuel chapter 1:7,despite how provoked she was by Penninah,she never gave up her decision to follow God. This lesson teaches us that no matter what people have said to us concerning our problems,that shouldn't be an excuse to turn away from God. God sees our heart,when you determine to do His will,and not mind what people do or say to you,He will do the best and make you forget the problems you are passing through.

2 She never allowed alternative

Some people,when they have problem,i.e barrenness,poverty,looking for spouses etc, they go elsewhere for alternative. I wrote in one of my posts that there are many things God can do but there are some He will not do.

When you are praying to God for something and you didn't receive any reply,that does not make you look for alternative elsewhere. God sees our future and knows what is good for children,and do not want to hurt us. But when you go elsewhere for solution,they give you what is bigger than your formal problem assuring you that it is over. "Alternative aside from God's own is detructive and later end up in regretting".

Hannah,inspite of her barrenness,never allowed alternative but rather had patience.

3 She made a vow

In verse 11,Hannah made a vow to God if He gives her a child.
How many of you can make a vow to God concerning situations around you? We need to make a vow to God and redeem it. We need to give God something before He can give to you back. When making a vow to God,we should make what we can easily give out instead of not making any. God will be angry with such a person that vows and later didn't fulfill his vow.

4 She was specific

When you read that same chapter in verse 11,you will see that Hannah was specific about what she want. She told God she wants a "a male child". Some people still go about beating round the bush when talking to God. They don't go straight to the point.

You should always ask God the specific things you need at that time. Be specific about date,day of things you want. Do not doubt God,believe in yourself that God can do it.

5 She didn't allow what she was passing through to change her character

When people are in one problem or the other,their character changes quickly. They get angry easily because of small thing. They react to unnecessary issue which it shouldn't be like that.

In verse 14 and 16,the prophet saw Hannah's lip moving and he concluded that Hannah was drunk but Hannah because of what she was looking for and how her patience has helped her,she replied and said to Prophet Eli that she was not drunk but was pouring out her heart to God. If you should be in her shoes,what would be your reaction? Smiles, I know most people will change quickly and talked to the man of God that how could he say that? Then another issue will arise.

Do not change your character because of what you are passing through. Be patience

6 Hannah believed God and His prophet

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In verse 17,the prophet of God told her to go in peace that her request is being answered,she believed him and God and went her way.

When you believe the word that comes out of a true prophet of God and also believe in the one that sent Him,your request will be granted. Don't wait for your pastor to give you something to eat or drink before you can believe.

7 She fulfilled her vow

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Hannah fulfilled her vow by bringing her son to the house of God as she had said before she was pregnant. We should also fulfill our vow we made to God.

We should be patience in everything we are passing through and believe in God for the best.

In summary of the lessons mentioned above;

i. You should never allow your problem take you away from God.

ii. You should never allow alternative.

iii. You should make a vow to God,the one you can fulfill.

iv. You should be specific about what you want.

v. Do not let your problem change your character.

vi. Believe God and His prophets.

vii. Fulfill your vows to God.

Thanks for reading.