“And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara: for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me” (Ruth 1:20).
In her hour of utter dejection and disillusionment, Naomi makes two big mistakes. First, she defines her destiny in terms of her tragic history. By trying to rename herself Mara (Bitter), she unwittingly seeks to perpetuate and make a monument of her trauma. Bad idea! Beware that you don’t foolishly monumentalise your pain. Whatever happens, don’t name yourself after your hurts! Don’t let your past define your future. Secondly, Naomi accuses God of injustice–that the LORD had brought her home empty, testified against her and had afflicted her! Yet our merciful God turns a deaf ear to her hasty utterances and false accusations. Our loving Father’s grace overlooks her wounded outbursts. May such grace abound toward you today! However, when it hurts so bad, don’t alienate your one true Friend. Mind your tongue when you’re troubled.
Pastor Josh