Behind the Mask

“‘Oh, Hannah, why are you crying? Why aren’t you eating? And why are you so upset...?’ Then she pulled herself together, slipped away quietly…Crushed in soul, Hannah prayed to God and cried and cried—inconsolably. 1 Sam 1:10, 17

Year after year Hannah had waited for a child and year after year her hope seemed in vain. She only had to look around to see others who were planning birthday parties and folding little shirts after laundering. As her friends were tucking in their toddlers she was tucking in her emotions. From how many family dinners did she abruptly and conspicuously excuse herself? Then one day she couldn’t take it anymore…couldn’t hear one more story regarding what she so desperately wanted. But, what she did with her pain is what we are also called to do in our pain…she ran towards Someone instead of away from some 'thing'. ‘Deep, deep down inside of Hannah, buried under deferred hopes and dashed dreams was a kernel of faith…So, she ran and opened the floodgates, no holds barred, as she wept honestly and profusely before God and asked God boldly…’ Christian Broadcasting Network website, Hope for Hannah – Laura Bagby.

We have all been there when dealing with our grief. Grief exposes itself in many forms in addition to the death of a loved one. Grief is experienced in anything that feels like death in our hearts. Like Hannah, we sit around our table with whom we share with family or friends. Then a song comes on that reminds us of a kinder time…a story is shared that used to bring laughter but now brings heartache …good news is told that highlights our bad news. We feel our stomachs churn and tears fill up our eyes. The food on our fork will never get past the lump in our throat and we abruptly push away from the table and head towards the closest door.

We all have those hidden griefs that are carefully tucked behind our fragile masks. It may be the young woman who like Hannah is desperately wanting to see the positive pregnancy test. It may be the lonely heart that is waiting for the love of their life to appear. I could be here all morning naming the manners of grief that people are experiencing. What is more important than the source of our grief is what we do with it. God has given us 66 books in His life-giving Word where page upon page hearts break and God heals. Beautiful ink that tells stories of people called to purpose, and hearts called to relationship. These are not stories of easy living, but messy and chaotic plot lines that all have one Author in common. He is the Author of their circumstances, and the Healer of their souls. In each story, they run to God and beg for delivery from their suffering. And in each story…God was faithful…God was present…God was their anchor and resolution.

Whether your mask is covering a lonely heart, a broken relationship, or an unfulfilled need we all must seek our comfort in God. God alone can change hearts, send provision, repair marriages and restore lives.