Bitter Is NOT Your Destiny

Ruth 1:20-21

20 And she said to them, Call me not Naomi [pleasant]; call me Mara [bitter], for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me.

21 I went out full, but the Lord has brought me home again empty. Why call me Naomi, since the Lord has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?

There are times in our life, like Naomi, that we find ourselves in circumstances that leave a bitter taste in our mouth. It causes us to question whether God is afflicting us or whether we have done something to incur the experience or pain we feel. 

But as God simply put it to me today, "I never changed Naomi's name. I never changed her purpose. I never changed her destiny. She tried to change her own name based on her circumstances, but no one would agree with her." 

I thought that was a pretty powerful revelation. You see, those closest to Naomi chose not to agree with making a permanent change based on her emotions. Yes, Naomi had a right to grieve for her sons, and husband, but that did not change God's heart towards her. 

Neither her friends, nor Ruth, nor even Boaz ever referred to her by her feelings (Mara- bitter) but by her identity (Naomi- my pleasant one). That speaks volumes to me. 

You may be in a place that feels bitter, but in God's eyes, you are His pleasant one. The feelings will change, but your identity before God, as His pleasure will not. 

Had Naomi not been able to relinquish her season of bitter feelings, she may have not been in a position to see the open door of restoration before her through the union of Ruth and Boaz. She may have been too much "in her feelings" to discern an opportunity to secure the happiness of Ruth, a younger widow who had chosen to serve God and serve Naomi through her season of bitterness. 

In the end, God turned the bitter circumstance into a sweet spot. Naomi's family line was able to continue, their inheritance was restored and kept in their family line, and Naomi had life restored to her, nourishment in old age, and the love of Ruth, who was declared to be better than seven sons. 

I encourage you today to look beyond the pain you feel and see the pleasure that is ahead if you will not give up your hope in God. Yes, times may be hard, but weeping comes to an end. Seasons do change and God has not changed his mind about you! Bitter is not the end of your story or your destiny. 

It's time for God to turn the page in your life! Are you ready? You may have started out empty, but get ready for fullness of joy! Look up and see your opportunity to be restored!