No one understood just how deep Hannah’s bitter pain went or just how broken she felt. Her husband sought to help by reminding her just how good her situation was by saying, “Am I not better to you than ten sons?” Perhaps he meant well, as so many do when they try to help one who is deeply hurting. But he just did not understand the broken spirit. Eli the priest misjudged her, reminding us that even spiritual leaders may not be able to enter into our pain (v. 12). Scripture states, “the spirit of a man will sustain him in sickness, but who can bear a broken spirit?” (Prov. 18:14).

Where could Hannah turn for help? She poured out her heart to the Lord. Hannah’s prayer is the very first prayer of a woman recorded in the Bible. Notice it was a silent prayer from her heart! It was not for show, nor for anyone else but the Lord! Hannah’s brokenness drives her to the Lord, not away from Him. While her pain involved all of her—spirit (1:5), soul (1:10, 15), and body, because she was weeping—Hannah does not let her “bitterness of soul” make her become a “bitter woman,” but she cast her pain before the Lord who cared for her (1 Pet. 5:7).

When we hurt in bitter pain, we can go directly to the throne room of God. Hebrews 4:16 reminds us of the tremendous privilege we have: “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”