Devotionals for the Heart: Don't let life challenges deter your faith in God

Drunken Faith
A devotional by Shirley A. Denson

“As she was praying to the Lord, Eli watched her. Seeing her lips moving but hearing no sound, he thought she had been drinking. ‘Must you come here drunk?’ he demanded. ‘Throw away your wine!’ ‘Oh no, sir!’ she replied. ‘I haven’t been drinking wine or anything stronger. But I am very discouraged, and I was pouring out my heart to the Lord. Don’t think I am a wicked woman! For I have been praying out of great anguish and sorrow.’”—1 Samuel 1:12-16 NLT

Have you ever been in a challenging season of your life, and to add insult to injury, had your actions questioned?

This is the exact season that Hannah finds herself in! Life was definitely “life-ing,” and things were coming at her from almost every direction. Can you imagine? She’s barren. The other woman is tormenting her about it. When she decides to pray about it, the priest thinks she’s drunk because he didn’t understand what was going on.

Despite the challenges that faced Hannah, she didn’t let what was going on deter her faith. The reality of the situation is that she was barren. The reality of the situation is that Peninnah kept giving birth and repeatedly reminded her of, and tormented her about, her barrenness. The reality of the situation is that her praying was misinterpreted as drunkenness by Eli. However, the truth of the matter is that once the misinterpretation was cleared up, the same priest pronounced a blessing that unlocked her barren womb. No matter what your reality may be, God’s truth always trumps that.

Many of you, like Hannah, may be going through arduous situations. Everyone else around you seems to be thriving, and living their best life. But you, on the other hand, seem like you’re stuck in a monotonous cycle of unproductivity. It may seem like nothing your try produces. Also, it could appear that you’re being overlooked while everyone else is being promoted. On top of it all, the enemy constantly torments you with feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

In spite of how you feel, do like Hannah—allow your faith to cause you to look crazy, if need be. If it’s starting a business, writing a book, launching a podcast…whatever! Who’s to say that it won’t push you into the presence of people that can go to God on your behalf and get the answer you’ve been waiting for? Hannah didn’t know that she looked drunk to Eli. All she knew was that prayer would be the only way to change her situation.

Hannah had survived years of torture and torment, all to have it erased in one moment of drunken faith. Her womb was unlocked, and she was finally able to give birth. As a result of the child birthed out to her drunken faith, Hannah honored God by dedicating the child back to Him. When your drunken faith produces, and it will, don’t forget to honor God for the thing(s) He’s done.

Let’s Pray: Lord, thank for even counting me worthy to endure this trial. I don’t understand it all, but I trust Your Sovereignty in it all. Even when the odds seem unsurmountable, and my faith seems questionable, give me the strength to keep going until I see the manifestation of what You promised. In Jesus’s Name I pray. Amen.

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Author Bio:

Shirley A. Denson is a native of Statesboro, GA. 

She found out at a young age that she had a creative mind and a way with words. Later on in life, she learned to cultivate her passion for writing as a budding author.

Shirley is very passionate about writing. Each book that she releases will be a product of God stirring and cultivating the gift He’s entrusted her with. She has won numerous writing awards/certificates, and is a published poet and blogger.

For the past six years, Shirley has worked as a professional ghostwriter, editor, and author. It is her joy and goal that through print, she might impact lives and leave the imprint of the King.

Visit her website to stay in the loop about her new book releases, current projects, and to read her blog posts.

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Connect with Shirley:
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Website: https://www.saywhatent.com