Finding Safety in God's Care, the Story of RuthSample

Naomi’s bitterness

“Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went away full, and the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi, when the Lord has testified against me and the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?” (Ruth 1:20-21)

Naomi has lived in Moab for over ten years. No wonder the people in Bethlehem are stirred when she returns. They hardly recognize her! Naomi left as a happy wife with her husband and children, but she returns as an embittered widow. She does not even want to be called by her name, which means ‘pleasant’. She prefers to be called Mara, ‘bitter’. Naomi can’t think or talk about anything but the losses she has suffered. That is understandable since she has gone through a lot. But it’s also a great pity. Her disappointment and bitterness dominate her life.

The book of Job tells about a man who also suffered a great loss. He lost his ten children, his enormous wealth, and his health. He was deeply saddened and later despondent, but he did not charge God with wrong, the Bible tells us. Instead, Job said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

Such a response is only possible if you are deeply rooted in God’s love. Only then can setbacks make you a better person. Without God, you only become bitter.

How do you deal with sorrow and losses?