1 Samuel 1: 13b-15
Eli, thinking she was drunk, said to her, "How long will you make a drunken spectacle of yourself? Sober up from your wine!" "No, my lord!" Hannah answered. "I am an unhappy woman. I have had neither wine nor liquor; I was only pouring out my heart to the LORD."
In this story, Hannah is a great example of humility. She was praying so fervently that Eli accused her of being drunk. "A drunken spectacle" actually. If that had been me, I would've had a hard time not coming back at Eli, offended at his accusation. But she simply said, "I was pouring out my heart."
How often when we are corrected do we jump at the chance to state our case, rip into the person who is correcting us or talk behind their back, sometimes even when we actually are in the wrong. What would happen if we put our pride aside and responded with truth and humility. In the case of Hannah, Eli said a blessing over her and her sadness went away.
Next time you are corrected, even if it comes from someone you don't want to hear it from, say a quick prayer, take a deep breath and respond with humility and kindness. You might be surprised by how your response changes their attitude toward you. It might just be the beginning of something new!
