Bitterness

Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

and I was all torn up inside.

Psalm 73:21 (NLT)

Naomi had lost her husband. Hard on the heels of her devastating loss, both of her sons died. I admire Naomi’s candor; she didn’t try to put on a good face or shrug her shoulders in resignation and mutter, “Que sera, sera.” On the contrary, Naomi wore her heart on her sleeve, asking her two stepdaughters to call her “Mara” which means “bitter.”

Her bitterness might seem understandable under the circumstances. But bitterness is a weed that threatens our well-being. Left unaddressed, it can twine its tendrils around our hearts till we feel like we’re suffocating.

            The devil loves to whisper lies in our most vulnerable moments. He wants us to believe we’re entitled to this and that, until we start feeding into his falsehoods. When we allow anger, jealousy, resentment, and discouragement into our hearts, and then cultivate them, we set ourselves up to reap their bitter fruit. Instead of dwelling on God’s blessings, we brood about what we don’t have, which drives a wedge between us and God.

Truth is, God doesn’t owe us anything yet He gave us everything. That’s grace. Naomi discovered this truth as God guided Ruth towards a man named Boaz. God redeemed her loss, providing her with a grandson who was an ancestor to King David and the very Son of God. Not only did He use her pain to minister to those who read her story but He took her loss and turned it into a wonderful blessing.

If you feel yourself growing resentful about your life, claim God’s promises over Satan’s lies. Don’t lose sight of God’s love. He never wastes our pain. Trust His grace. Wait for Him to redeem your pain. You just might be surprised by what God has planned for you.

Thought: “As we pour out our bitterness, God pours in His peace.” – F. B. Meyer

For further reading:

• Ruth 1:20
• Ruth 4:14-22
• Psalm 73:21-26
• Hebrews 12:15