THE STORY OF HAGAR: FROM DESPAIR TO HOPE

Have you ever found yourself in a state of despair, feeling as though the weight of the world rests solely on your shoulders? In those moments of solitude, when tears are shed in silence and no one seems to notice or offer assistance, it can be challenging to see a way forward. Sometimes, our own mistakes or poor choices lead us to such a place, while at other times, we may find ourselves in a situation of brokenness through no fault of our own, feeling isolated and misunderstood. Many women today experience deep brokenness, facing a multitude of challenges that weigh heavily on their hearts and lives. From societal stereotypes, to the struggle to keep up with daily responsibilities, often juggling careers, motherhood, and personal aspirations with limited support. Others face emotional and psychological trauma, sometimes rooted in abuse, rejection, or abandonment. Some are suffering in silence from domestic violence, infertility stigma, financial instability, or the mental exhaustion of constantly needing to prove their worth. Some are weighed down by low self-esteem from unrealistic beauty standards imposed by society, while others are suffering from the pain of broken/unhealthy relationships and betrayal etc. Going through these difficult times, it is easy to succumb to feelings of hopelessness. Yet, in all these forms of brokenness, there remains a source of hope the God who sees and understands every tear and unspoken cry. The biblical story of HAGAR edifies us about finding hope even in the most hopeless situation.

Hagar was a servant to Sarai, the wife of Abram. As Abram and Sarai were childless, Sarai offered her servant Hagar to Abram as a wife, and Hagar conceived. Upon realizing her pregnancy, Hagar began to despise Sarai. In response, Sarai treated Hagar harshly, prompting her to flee into the wilderness. There, the Angel of the Lord found Hagar and inquired about where she was coming from and where she was going to. Hagar explained that she was escaping from her mistress Sarai. The Angel instructed Hagar to return and submit to Sarai. Following this divine encounter in a wilderness where she thought no one saw her or was with her, Hagar referred to God as “You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees” (El-Roi), saying, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me” (Genesis 16). Below are some lessons from Hagar’s story.

• God is near to those who are brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Regardless of how you found yourself in this situation, trust that God loves you and can lead you out of brokenness, restoring you to a state of wholeness. It is okay to express your pain to God and to cast your cares upon Him, for He cares for you more deeply than any human ever could. God desires a close relationship with you. He is your ever-present help and cherishes ongoing communication with you, even during the most challenging times when hope seems lost. There is hope in Jesus Christ. As you read this, believe that God can use these words to encourage you to bring every burden to Him. Engage with Him in prayer, ask questions, seek His guidance, and listen for His instructions, for they will lead to life and peace.

• God’s instructions carry the solution. In the biblical account, Hagar faced harsh treatment from Sarai, not merely because she had conceived, but because she had shown contempt for Sarai, her mistress. The Angel’s directive for Hagar to return and submit to Sarai might have seemed unexpected or difficult. Returning to and submitting to the person she was fleeing from could have been a daunting task. God knew the root cause of the problem though Hagar may not have known and He knew the solution and in Hagar’s obedience to this instruction, she will find peace. Go to the bible, search scriptures that talk to the situation you are facing, speak those scriptures and live by them. For instance if you are suffering from low self-esteem caused by unrealistic beauty standards imposed by society, meditate on Psalm 139:13-14 which says “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”. Believe you are beautiful and specially created by God. You can also open up about your situation and seek wise counsel from fellow trustworthy Christians. God can use people to help us but remember wise counsel will only lead you to act in the ways of God and not otherwise. Ultimately, talk to God in prayers, be keen to hear His instructions and obey. Even if it comes in ways that we don’t understand at present, be sure you to trust God who knows the past, present and future. Just obey.

• Your wilderness season can be a season of encountering God. If things always work out the way we want, we may be tempted to feel we don’t need God. Sometimes, hardship make us to encounter God in ways we did not expect. Hagar lived with Abram who had encounters with God in different ways which anchored His faith in God. In Hagar’s hardship, she encountered God as the God who sees. Her testimony about the God who sees, illuminated a revelation of God to her, kindling her faith in God and this revelation of God to her speaks to many generations beyond her existence about trusting in the God who sees. God desires to encounter each of us in unique ways. Seek God with all your heart and you would find Him.

• God comforts and provides. In her later years, Hagar had to go back to the wilderness where she was alone with her son Ishmael. She had no water and she did not want her son to die and so she cried and wept. God heard their cry and released an angel who asked Hagar not to fear for God has heard her son’s cry. Then God opened Hagar’s eyes and she saw a well of water which she gave her son and God was with them in the wilderness and her son grew up in the wilderness (Genesis 21:14-21). No matter how bad your situation may look, God can meet you there if you cry out to Him. He is a loving father and is close to the broken hearted. Even that place you call dry can be a fertile ground if God is there with you.

• The wildernesses season can be a season of pruning. Hagar encountered God amidst her pain. God knew she was probably arrogant and despised her mistress. To send her to submit to her mistress was not only a solution but a way of helping her overcome her arrogance and become humble. It is true that the wilderness season can be hard but if we seek God and trust him in this season, it can be a blessed season for growth. If you have not yet read our short book on the wilderness season, you can access it here THE-WILDERNESS-SEASON-SHORT-BOOK and you will get more insight on how to navigate the wilderness season.
• Learn from the season, be healed from brokenness and move out of it with God at the pace of grace. Pain is real but please you can be healed. Don’t remain in that place of brokenness. Seek help ultimately from God and from people God places around you. Do not die in pain when help is around. Hagar encountered God in that season, followed God’s instructions and moved on.
• What other lessons have you learned from the story of Hagar? Please drop them in the comment section below.

Remain Blessed.