However, there is another story within that story.
At one point the two women are returning to Naomi's homeland and as they enter the town the towns-women are exclaiming, "Is that Naomi?" Naomi answers back saying, "Don't call me Naomi, call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty." (Ruth 1:19-21)
In Italian, the meaning of the name "Mara" is "bitter." In essence, Naomi is telling the townspeople that she is very bitter at God for the situation she finds herself in.
There were times when I felt like having people call me Mara.
My study bible says this about feeling bitter towards God: "The road to open rebellion against God starts with bitterness and skepticism, then moves to grumbling about both God and [our] present circumstances. Next comes bitterness and resentment, followed finally by rebellion. If you're often dissatisfied, skeptical, complaining or bitter, beware! That attitude leads to rebellion and separation from God."
I feel like I have been "changed" by my divorce. While I don't feel bitter towards God like Naomi did, I do relate to how she must have felt.
I feel like the whole experience of getting married again, taking a chance, turning my life upside down for someone, and then losing that promised life has left me completely changed; and not necessarily changed in a bad way. It's given me a new perspective and a new way about thinking of things. I try to remember that God did not come to take away our challenges, but to change us on the inside and to empower us to deal with problems from God's perspective.
My study bible says this about feeling bitter towards God: "The road to open rebellion against God starts with bitterness and skepticism, then moves to grumbling about both God and [our] present circumstances. Next comes bitterness and resentment, followed finally by rebellion. If you're often dissatisfied, skeptical, complaining or bitter, beware! That attitude leads to rebellion and separation from God."
I feel like I have been "changed" by my divorce. While I don't feel bitter towards God like Naomi did, I do relate to how she must have felt.
I feel like the whole experience of getting married again, taking a chance, turning my life upside down for someone, and then losing that promised life has left me completely changed; and not necessarily changed in a bad way. It's given me a new perspective and a new way about thinking of things. I try to remember that God did not come to take away our challenges, but to change us on the inside and to empower us to deal with problems from God's perspective.
When facing bitter times I try to offer up honest prayers to God. I tell Him how I'm feeling, what my frustrations are, and what I hope for. I think one of the things I have to remember is to be careful not to overlook the love, strength, and resources that He provides in my present relationships. Like Naomi, I have found my "Ruth's" in my life. They are true blessings to me.
I also think that we can sometimes allow bitterness and disappointment to blind us to opportunities that may be placed on our path so I keep my eyes open and my heart grateful for all the blessings to which I receive.
In Matthew 7:13-14 it says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (NIV) The broad road may be easier to take but it has all kinds of room for bitterness, resentment and self-pity. The narrow road, although more difficult to traverse, only has room for the Spirit. It's harder to take the narrow road, but that's the road that leads to a better life.
It doesn't do me any good to be bitter about what has happened. The past is in the past and I can't change what happened. Instead, I concentrate on keeping my attitudes, actions and thoughts focused on God and the present instead of on myself.
Here's some more food for thought. If you are waiting for God to change your present circumstances consider this: He may be waiting for you to take the first step to demonstrate just how important your need is. Just taking that first step, which sometimes can be the hardest one, shows Him how great your faith is.
I also think that we can sometimes allow bitterness and disappointment to blind us to opportunities that may be placed on our path so I keep my eyes open and my heart grateful for all the blessings to which I receive.
In Matthew 7:13-14 it says, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow is the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (NIV) The broad road may be easier to take but it has all kinds of room for bitterness, resentment and self-pity. The narrow road, although more difficult to traverse, only has room for the Spirit. It's harder to take the narrow road, but that's the road that leads to a better life.
It doesn't do me any good to be bitter about what has happened. The past is in the past and I can't change what happened. Instead, I concentrate on keeping my attitudes, actions and thoughts focused on God and the present instead of on myself.
Here's some more food for thought. If you are waiting for God to change your present circumstances consider this: He may be waiting for you to take the first step to demonstrate just how important your need is. Just taking that first step, which sometimes can be the hardest one, shows Him how great your faith is.
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