BABIES CRY, ADULTS TAKE ACTION ~ Precious Victor Akah

I have a baby, and anytime he wants something but can't have it, he starts crying. This cry is as a result of his inability to get what he wants at the moment. This is common with babies and we adults don't see anything wrong with it because we understand.

Now, many of us grow up, and as adults, when faced with tough life challenges, some of us resort to endless crying. Well, while crying does sometimes get babies what they want, sadly, as an adult, it doesn't - majority of the time. For instance, if you're faced with overdue rent payment and you resort to crying, will it convince the landlord to wave off the rent for you? Nope! He will still demand for you to pay your rent or move out despite your incessant crying.

BABIES CRY TO GET WHAT THEY WANT, BUT ADULTS TAKE ACTION TO GET WHAT THEY NEED IN LIFE. I'll share a very interesting story that perfectly captures this truth, especially when it comes to getting something from God. You may have heard it before, but I want to show you something you may not have noticed in this story before now. So, please read with undivided attention.

There was a certain man whose name was Elkanah. He had two wives; one was called Hannah and the other Peninnah. Peninnah had children, but Hannah had none.

Year after year this man went up from his town to worship and sacrifice to the Lord Almighty at Shiloh. Whenever the day came for Elkanah to sacrifice, he would give portions of the meat to his wife Peninnah and to all her sons and daughters. But to Hannah he gave a double portion because he loved her, and the Lord had closed her womb. 

Because the Lord had closed Hannah’s womb, her rival, Peninnah, kept provoking her in order to irritate her. This went on year after year. 

Whenever Hannah went up to the house of the Lord, her rival provoked her till she wept and would not eat. Her husband Elkanah would say to her, “Hannah, why are you weeping? Why don’t you eat? Why are you downhearted? Don’t I mean more to you than ten sons?”

Once when they had finished eating and drinking in Shiloh, Hannah stood up. Now Eli the priest was sitting on his chair by the doorpost of the Lord’s house. In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly.

And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

As she kept on praying to the Lord, Eli observed her mouth. Hannah was praying in her heart, and her lips were moving but her voice was not heard. Eli thought she was drunk and said to her, “How long are you going to stay drunk? Put away your wine.”

“Not so, my lord,” Hannah replied, “I am a woman who is deeply troubled. I have not been drinking wine or beer; I was pouring out my soul to the Lord. Do not take your servant for a wicked woman; I have been praying here out of my great anguish and grief.”

Eli answered, “Go in peace, and may the God of Israel grant you what you have asked of him.”

She said, “May your servant find favor in your eyes.” Then she went her way and ate something, and her face was no longer downcast.

Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. 

So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.” This story is from 1 Samuel 1:1-20

Hannah needed a child and she cried for many years but change did not come. Her rival (the other wife, Peninnah) taunted her so much that she wept and wept thinking she could somehow twist the arm of God with her much crying to get what she wants, but it didn't happen. 

She then rose up one day and took action by praying earnestly and passionately to God and making a vow, and she was blessed with Samuel. 

What is that issue you need to stop crying about and rise up now in prayers to address? Rejection? Sickness? Childlessness? Constant disappointments? Joblessness? Marital delay? Academic failures? Business failures? Marital challenge? Poverty? Relationship problems? Negative addictions? Demonic oppression? Nightmares?

Find scriptures in the Bible that contains the promises of God regarding that issue and war with it, pray and persist day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, till your change comes! If you're being led to make a vow like Hannah did, then go ahead, but like Hannah did, ensure you fulfill your vow when your prayer is answered.

Jesus in John 11:35 wept because of Lazarus, but He didn't stop there. He went further to command Lazarus to rise from the dead. Yes, there are tough challenges that comes at you when you're not expecting it and you're immediately moved to tears. That's okay. 

But after crying, wipe your tears, rise up and take action to bring about the change you want to see. Because if you continue crying, nothing will change. The only thing that will be affected is your health and that will add to the present challenge facing you. Change is birthed by taking action, not by crying.

We don't give up! We don't back out! We are victors, and if you persist with faith, you'll get what you want. Scripture tells us in 1 John 5:4, "For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world—our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]." We win with continuing persistent faith.

If you're no more a baby, then you're capable of taking action, so, rise up and take action. Cry no more! Wipe your tears and do what you need to do to see the change you desire to see.

And a good news right here: If you're born of God, you're an overcomer. So don't give up no matter the challenge. 

If however, you're not yet born of God by being born again, this is the right time for you to accept Jesus, surrender to His Lordship and live a victorious life where all things are doable and achievable through the strength of Christ and the help of the Holy Spirit. Get this life!

Shalom.

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