Seen, Known and Elevated by God

What if the moment that feels like your ending is actually the beginning God has been preparing? We walk through Hagar’s story in Genesis—an Egyptian servant caught in a family promise bigger than her power—and discover why the name El Roi, “the God who sees,” still changes lives. From Hagar’s first flight into the wilderness to the heartbreaking day she runs out of water and hope, we trace how God hears the cry, draws near, and opens her eyes to a well already within reach.

As we revisit Genesis 16 and 21, we explore the tensions of jealousy, rejection, and survival, and we talk about what this means for anyone who feels discarded, dejected, or distressed. You’ll hear how God’s presence meets both deserts: the one you ran to and the one that found you. We unpack practical steps for moving forward—turning to Scripture with expectancy, receiving encouragement from people who walk with God, rooting yourself in a church that rightly teaches the Bible and lives out the love of Christ, and trusting God to lead you on a new path.

This conversation blends biblical insight with real-life application to nurture resilience and hope. If you’ve been wondering whether God sees you, this journey with Hagar offers a grounded, compassionate yes. Come for the story, stay for the steps, and leave with a clearer way to walk through your own wilderness with courage, clarity, and faith. If this encouraged you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs it, and leave a review so more women can find biblical encouragement that fosters resilience.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Hagar’s Story Introduced
• 0:34 Genesis Context And Roles
• 1:34 Conflict, Flight, And El Roi
• 2:19 Isaac’s Birth And Family Rift
• 3:23 Cast Out Into The Wilderness
• 4:12 God Hears And Provides
• 5:30 From Ending To Beginning
• 5:30 Modern Encouragement And Steps
• 7:18 Practical Next Moves And Hope
• 8:04 Closing Encouragement And Invitation

Transcript

Constance Lavonice: 0:00

In the book of Genesis, we learn about a woman named Hagar. Hagar found herself in the wilderness twice. The first time she ran away to the wilderness. The second time she found herself there by no fault of her own. Discarded, dejected, and distressed. What she thought was the end was actually the beginning. You're listening to Wholeheart Conversations, a podcast especially for women, to provide biblical encouragement that fosters resilience through the practical application of God's Word. I'm your host, Constance Lavonice. Hagar was an Egyptian servant of Abraham's wife Sarah. Sarah, whose name was Sarai at the time, had no children, so she gave Hagar to her husband Abraham as his wife so that Hagar might bear children for Sarai. But once Hagar conceived, she despised Sarah. The Bible says Sarai became insignificant in Hagar's sight. So Sarai treated Hagar harshly, and Hagar fled to the wilderness. An angel of the Lord found her by a spring of water, and he asked her, What are you doing here? And told Hagar, return to your mistress, Sarai, and submit to her authority. You're pregnant with the son. Name him Ishmael, for the Lord has seen your affliction. And Hagar called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, El Roy, the God who sees. Fast forward, and Sarai is now named Sarah. And she has the child that God promised Abraham, Isaac. And when Isaac was winged, Abraham had a great feast. But Sarah saw Ishmael, Hagar's son, mocking Isaac. And she later said to Abraham, Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac. And Abraham was greatly distressed because of his son Ishmael. But God said, Do not be distressed. Do what Sarah tells you. Listen to her, for through Isaac your descendants shall be named. Early the next morning Abraham gave Hagar bread and a skin of water, and he sent Hagar and Ishmael away. Genesis twenty one verse fourteen says, Hagar departed and wandered about in the wilderness of Bathsheba. And when the water was gone, she placed Ishmael under a bush and sat down opposite of him. She didn't want to see him die. She raised her voice and wept. God heard Ishmael crying, and the angel of God called to Hagar from heaven and said to her, What is the matter with you, Hagar? Do not fear, for God has heard the voice of the boy where he is. Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him by the hand, for I will make him a great nation. Then God opened Hagar's eyes, and Hagar saw a well of water and gave Ishmael a drink. Hagar found herself in the desert, the wilderness, discarded, dejected, and distressed, alone with her son. Hagar thought it was the end, but the same God that she had seen before and named El Roy saw Hagar and answered her. Hagar thought it was the end, but God knew it was the beginning. So if you're in a place alone and isolated, distressed, feeling unseen, rejected, betrayed, or possibly blaming yourself, I want you to know that the same God that saw Hagar sees you. Not only did he see Hagar, but he provided for her. It's the same in our lives. The Bible is a real life historical account of real people with flesh and blood, just like you and me. And the Bible encourages us with the stories so that we can have hope in the midst of despair. God sees us. God is close to the brokenhearted. If you draw near to him, he will draw near to you. As I said last week, God will instruct you and teach you and counsel you with his eye upon you. If you're in the desert, first look up toward God and open the Bible so he can speak to you. Next, allow yourself to be encouraged by someone else who has a relationship with God. Third, consider attending a church that is rightly dividing the word of God and demonstrating the love of Christ. And finally, allow God to lead you on a new path, a new beginning. And if this speaks to you, subscribe, share it with a friend who needs encouragement, and leave a review to help more women find biblical encouragement that fosters resilience.