Walk Away
1 Samuel 1:2-11
Throughout the Bible, we are reminded of different women who have endured various seasons of barrenness. In Genesis 11:30, scripture tells the story of Sarah and her inability to conceive a child. “But Sarai was barren; she had no child”. Given her old age, Sarah was doubted the promise God had given Abraham. (Genesis 18:1-15). Again in, 1 Samuel 1:6 we are told of yet another barren woman, Hannah, who was besieged with taunts and ridicule by her rival Peninnah, Elkanah’s other wife. Peninnah bore him many children, yet the Hannah remained barren for the Lord had closed her womb. Unlike Sarah, Hannah had not received a promise from God. Sarah had the surety of a promise from God to her husband Abraham, whereas Hannah merely had the words of the priest, Eli. Hannah and so she was left in the hands of the priest, Eli.
Despite Hannah’s inability to have children, Hannah had the affection of her husband, Elkanah. 1 Samuel 1:2 states, Elkanah, “…would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah, he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb” (1 Samuel 1:4-5). Yearly, when Hannah traveled with her husband and her rival to Shiloh to worship, she would face the mocking and criticism of Peninnah. Rather than stay in the toxic and denigrating environment, Hannah decided to move; she made the decision to walk away.
Hannah moved from her circle, she re-positioned herself away from her husband and her rival. Though barren, Hannah possessed life in womb that could only be birthed by walking away from the mental and emotional hold both Elkanah and Peninnah held. By walking away, Hannah broke the mental control of Peninnah. Likewise, when you walk away from the things in life that are holding you back, control over your mind and life is relinquished.
In your season of lack and barrenness, decide to push. Don’t be intimidated by people who appear to be doing better than you. Refuse to believe that others are more favored than you because of what they appear to possess. The anointing you are connected to can release favor over you.\
Not everything that occurs in our lives that negatively impacts us is caused by the devil. To step into our destiny and birth that which we carry, God must process us. Scriptures states that God closed Hannah’s womb; in that season, she was being processed to ultimately birth a prophet that would have significant impact. In the same way that God closed Hannah’s womb, He may choose to close our wombs. In those seasons, you must exercise patience, possess discernment and activate the anointing you carry. Though it may seem that the odds are against you, through patience, discernment and the anointing, God’s glory will manifest in your life. Nothing can stop the promises of God; activate that promise, walk away and seek the face of God.