When They Go Low, You Go High

This is our B moment. Our moment to be still…to be fed by the Word of God…to be grateful.

Scripture reference: Romans 12:19 (ESV)

Today, I am thinking about what it really means to go high when they go low.

This week, I’ve been reflecting on Hannah’s story. Typically, when we think about Hannah’s story, we see a woman who struggled for years to have a child and, in time, God blessed her with one.

Yet as I read Hannah’s story again, I realized that there is surely more to take away. Hannah was one of two wives to Elkanah. Elkanah’s other wife, Peninnah, could bear children and would always tease Hannah about being barren.

Each year, Elkanah would take his family to the tabernacle to present a sacrifice before the Lord. Afterwards, they would have dinner together.

Let’s imagine the scene at that dinner table. Hannah is seated at a dinner table with a woman who teases her often. This woman is also married to her husband and has had children for him. Hannah, on the other hand, wants to have children, but can’t.

This family dinner ritual, which was painful for Hannah, had been going on for years, so it would be understandable if Hannah chose to respond on Peninnah’s level. Yet Hannah kept her focus on the high path and was not distracted into going low.

In fact, if Hannah had gone low, she might have missed out on her blessings, and I think Hannah knew that. Hannah knew God was the ultimate judge and that He would make things right at the right time.

Therefore, resist the urge to go low by clinging to these words: “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (ESV)

Please share this reflection as others desire to be inspired.

So today, when they go low, you go high.