A non-stop critical spirit can drive you crazy. It’s not easy to patiently endure it. If we have experienced living or working in an abrasive critical environment it leaves a mark on us doesn’t it? Hannah responded to incessant criticism with prayer and patience. In Hannah’s day being childless was a cultural stigma and absolutely debilitating. It was expected of a wife to carry on her husband’s name, but Hannah couldn’t.
Hannah’s husband’s other wife Peninnah bore their husband children. She didn’t see Hannah as a woman with a broken heart, but her rival! They both competed for the affection of their husband. Through day in and day out harsh criticism Peninnah used Hannah to elevate her importance in the family. Peninnah didn’t care, she had to be first. Maybe you can relate to Hannah?
Only the grace of God could sustain Hannah in those difficult days and she responded with patience and prayer. She patiently prayed for a son and God heard and answered her cry. He does for you too!
I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. Psalm 40:1-2
Hannah responded with praise
After Hannah gave birth to Samuel she kept her commitment to consecrate her beloved son to the Lord by having him raised in the tabernacle by Eli the priest. Imagine giving your child to someone else to parent? Yet, she was extremely grateful that God answered her prayer for a child.
Hannah’s heart posture reflects the amazing grace of God. It turns everything upside down. As the prophet Isaiah and Hannah said, “He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap.” What kind of world is that? It is a world living under the grace of God.
God rewarded Hannah’s responses.
Hannah had three more sons and two daughters. Her son Samuel became judge, prophet and priest in Israeli history and anointed Saul and David as Israel’s first kings. He was greatly loved by God and the people.
Hannah knew about disappointment and grief, but also knew that God was in control and wanted only the best for her. Weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5
What about you and me? When we’ve been raised in an environment with constant criticism it can drive us to a place of wanting to please everyone else for acceptance.
There’s old fable that has been passed down through generations. It tells about an elderly man who was traveling with a donkey and a young boy. As they walked through a village the man was leading the donkey and the boy was walking behind. The townspeople said the old man was a fool for not riding on the donkey, so to please them he climbed on the donkey’s back.
When they came to the next village the people said the old man was cruel to let the child walk while he enjoyed the ride. So, to please them he got off and sat the boy on the donkey’s back and continued on his way.
In the third village the people accused the boy of being lazy for making the old man walk and the suggestion was made that they both ride. So the man climbed on and they set off again. In the fourth village the townspeople were indignant of the cruelty to the donkey because he was made to carry two people. The frustrated man was last seen carrying the donkey down the road.
If we try to please everyone we will end up carrying a very heavy burden. As the Apostle Paul said,
“Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If we seek to please everyone we will no longer please God.”
There is another way. We can respond to criticism like Hannah with patience, prayer and praise.
On the other hand what if we have a critical spirit that has closed someone’s heart and has pushed them away from us? We can do some real soul searching and make the needed changes. We can ask someone to honestly help us with our critical spirit. Either way we all would do well applying the verse below.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
