Monday, January 2 Her face was no longer downcast.​—1 Sam. 1:18.

[Áine]

Monday, January 2

Her face was no longer downcast.—1 Sam. 1:18.

 

Hannah was married to a Levite named Elkanah, who loved her very much. But Elkanah had another wife, Peninnah. Elkanah loved Hannah more than he loved Peninnah; however, “Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.” Because of this, Peninnah taunted Hannah “relentlessly in order to upset her.” Hannah became very upset! “She would weep and not eat.” Yet, there is no record that Hannah tried to take revenge. Instead, she poured out her heart to Jehovah and trusted that he would make matters right. (1 Sam. 1:2, 6, 7, 10) What can we learn from Hannah’s example? If someone tries to compete with you in some way, remember that you are in control of the situation. You do not have to allow yourself to be drawn into the competition. Instead of repaying evil for evil, try to make peace with the person. (Rom. 12:17-21) Even if he does not respond, you will maintain your inner peace. w21.07 17 ¶13-14

[Amygdala]

This was a great WT study, as the theme was based on Gal.5:26 about avoiding stirring up competition with one another.

 

There was a section about examining our inner motives. Para. 4 then brought out this point:

 

Quote

The Bible urges us to avoid comparing ourselves with others. (Read Galatians 6:3, 4.) Why? On the one hand, if we think we are doing better than our brother, we may become prideful. On the other hand, if we compare ourselves unfavorably with others, we will likely get discouraged. Either way, we will not be thinking with a sound mind. (Rom. 12:3)

 

Hannah felt discouraged because of her comparing herself to Peninah, but also because what society had dictated was expected of her back then. There was nothing wrong in her wanting a child, but one of the the reasons for her pain was because of Peninah‘s egoistic taunting of her and being set to make her feel bad at all costs, perhaps even blaming her for making some mistake. But Hannah didn’t allow Peninah’s treatment to resort into tit for tat. Because Hannah trusted in Jehovah. Thereafter her spirits were lifted.

 

A fine example to imitate of Hannah, and avoid being competitive like Peninah.