We can learn much from Hannah here as she laid her soul bare before the Lord and whoever else happened to be worshiping near her. There was no plastic mask, no stiff upper lip, no façade. Only tears – many tears. Hannah was more concerned with presenting her pain before the Lord than presenting false strength before others. She was crushed in spirit. She was in great need. So she wept.

What we need to realize is that the tears rolling down Hannah’s cheeks were not a sign of weakness, but rather strength. Each tear, each sob, and each gasp for breath in between was evidence of Hannah’s recognition that being real and transparent before God is what matters. We might fool others, but we will never fool Him, so why try? It does no one good. Instead, God wants us to be real with Him and with others. When we do, we see how God meets us in our greatest times of need – in our greatest anguish – to provide mercy, grace, love, and comfort. And we show others that they are not alone in their pain and can, too, cry out to the Lord.

What are some ways that you might be wearing a mask before others, or perhaps even before God?