You are probably thinking this is going to be one of those articles about forgiveness….but you would be wrong.
This is a story of victory over bitterness to become better….and it’s not my story, although I can relate to it, like so many of us, it is a story of bitterness but with a hope of becoming better.
Let’s take a look at the book of Ruth beginning in chapter 1:
A famine had been declared in the land and Elimelech decided to move his wife, Naomi and their two sons, Mahlon and Chilion, to Moab where there was food and freedom from famine. So they went to Moab and lived among those that worshipped strange Gods and did things differently.
Now scripture doesn’t say how long they were there before Naomi’s husband, Elimelech, died leaving Naomi alone with her two sons. Of course, by then her sons had met Moabite women and married them. Their names were Orpha and Ruth and they continued to dwell in Moab for another 10 years. Then Naomi’s two sons died and she was left with her two daughter in laws.
Naomi heard that the famine in Bethlehem was over and decided to go back to her country. The two daughter in laws were all packed and ready to go with her when Naomi told them both to go back to their own families and not come to Bethlehem with her. The women hugged and cried and Orpha went back to her family, but Ruth stayed with Naomi and said where you go, I go.
So the two women journeyed back to Bethlehem and the Bible says Naomi didn’t speak to her. (Ruth 1:18). Why did she not speak to her? Maybe she was lost in her own bitter thoughts? Where were they were going to live or how were they going to survive?
“Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” Ruth 1:21
(Naomi means peace and Mara means bitter.)
On her return she had put the blame on God and let the bitterness sink into her soul because bitterness gives us someone to blame. Bitterness comes when we tell God he messed up and got this one wrong. Bitterness comes when we blame God for the hurt and fear that has been brought on by circumstances and situations that we are facing. Bitterness overpowers hope and it poisons relationships. Bitterness comes when we retreat into ourselves and change our names to “Mara,” which means bitterness, just as Naomi did…
So has your life’s dreams been smashed and broken at your feet? Have you said to God, “you better fix this?”
My story is filled with broken pieces, terrible choices and ugly truths. It’s also filled with a major comeback, peace in my soul and grace that saved my life. [Quote is found in numerous memes.]
Part 2 – When Bitterness turns Better. Coming soon!
