In honor of Mother’s Day, this week’s Daily Bible Reading centers around the story of Hannah.
Read 1 Samuel 1:1-8
Discover
1. What types of dysfunction do you see in Hannah’s family?
2. What treatment did she endure?
3. What was her response?
Respond
Ever since sin entered the world, dysfunction has been part of family relationships. In Hannah’s case, her inability to have children led to comparison and taunting. During Old Testament times, barrenness meant being inferior. It brought on embarrassment to the husband and created strain economically for families. For Hannah, it also meant daily ridicule and pain.
Is there any dysfunction in your family currently? Or maybe in another relationship? Would you say you’re the instigator like Peninnah or the recipient like Hannah?
Take a few minutes now to pray through your family relationships and your friendships. Ask God to reveal where you’ve caused pain to someone close to you, and commit to take a step toward reconciliation. If you’re walking through a season of pain caused by someone else, spend some time resting in God’s presence. Make notes on the truth of who He made you to be (see Ephesians 2:10 for one example), and ask Him to help you forgive those who have caused pain.
Want to go deeper? Read this article: How to Heal from Unhealthy Family Patterns.