Turning to Christ we can find Peace and joy even from a place of sorrow...
Eli mistook Hannah for drunk! I guess if anyone observed some of my pleadings to the Lord they might assume the same thing! However, in turning to the Lord in heartfelt complete supplication Hannah's prayers are heard, they also get answered. The lesson here is that in v18 knowing she had been heard that her countenance was no longer sad, not just her face but her spirit. Answers take time, yet with Christ and knowing we are heard we can find peace and joy in the midst of sorrow.