State of Barrenness

Good Morning.  Have you ever gone to through a time where it seems like nothing is going right?  You have prayed and prayed with no answers? You’re trying to be positive, yet there are some in your circle that will not allow you to be?  I have too. 

I was studying 1 Samuel 1 this morning which talks about Peninnah and Hannah.  Both of these young women were married to Elkanah.  Peninnah had children whereas Hannah did not.  Hannah was ridiculed by Peninnah constantly for her state of barrenness.  Can you imagine how she felt?  Children back then were a status of wealth in society.  How times have changed.  One year when they went to the temple to offer sacrifices, Hannah cried and prayed to God.  She told him that if he blessed her with a son, she would give the child back to him.  At age 3, Hannah took Samuel to the temple where she left him with Eli. He grows up as a priest-in-training under Eli. 

We will have seasons where God is working behind the scenes to give us what we are praying for.  We may face times of barrenness where nothing is being birthed in our jobs, relationships, or service.  We must know that during those times he is working things out for our good.  God sometimes puts us in a state of barrenness to see if (1) we will trust him (2) we will praise him and/or (3) we will allow the barrenness to stunt our faith.  There could be other reasons for your state of barrenness.  I do not know.  These are just some things that came to me.  It’s easy to do all three when things are going well.  When things are going bad is the real test.  Also, when things are not bad, they just are.  If that makes any sense.  You’re still being blessed, but the breakthrough you’re seeking has not come yet. 

I pray today that during your state(s) of barrenness that you know that the God that made heaven and earth is going to blow your mind.  When your breakthrough comes, you will be so astounded, you cannot help telling someone else how good God is.  Your state of barrenness will be a testimony to help someone else.  Have a Blessed Day!