And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.—.
—1 Samuel 1:10

Have you ever known what it means to have things going right in many areas of your life, yet in one or more areas, things couldn't be more wrong? Have you ever been in that place where you appear on the outside to be succeeding, but on the inside you're fighting a horrific battle? That's what was happening in Hannah's life.

Hannah was one of the two wives of Elkanah, a devout man who regularly worshipped at the tabernacle in Shiloh. While she was blessed with a husband who loved and provided for her, the fact that she was barren was a deep sorrow to her, which was aggravated by Elkanah's other wife, Peninnah, who "provoked her daily" with this reminder. Producing children in that time were considered a sign of God's favor and reward. To be "provoked" means to have an inner rage that threatens to erupt at any point. Hannah was pushed to the point of "losing it."

The female rivalry in this family was rooted in jealousy, which is rooted in fear, and specifically, a fear that one can be replaced. Hannah was jealous of Peninnah because Peninnah had children. Peninnah was jealous of Hannah because Hannah had Elkanah's love.

Hannah's problem drove her to God. Only God could cause Hannah to conceive and bear a child. At the entrance to the tabernacle of the Lord, Hannah poured out her heart to God. She was so deeply wounded that she wept there and prayed with her lips moving but without any sound coming from her mouth. It was so intense that the high priest, Eli, thought she must be drunk. But Hannah refused to be denied, and God answered her desperate prayer of faith (1 Samuel 1:17).

Are you desperate enough today to press toward God? Is your pain producing perseverance in you? Are you facing a need that is deep enough to drive you to push through any resistance that comes your way to get to God? When you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, you'll do whatever it takes to get your answer from God.

There are some situations you must take to God and nobody else. God's Word says to cast "all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7). It doesn't say to cast all your cares on your pastor, your best friend, or your spouse. There are cares and situation that only God can handle. Only God can fix your heart and bring you through to your destiny.