Bitter Seasons

In Ruth 1, when Naomi returned from the land of Moab, she was in a season of loss and grief. She said, “Do not call me Naomi (sweetness); call me Mara (bitter), for the Almighty has caused me great grief and bitterness” (AMP). Her story reminds me of a few things. First, tough seasons reveal what we believe about God. Our pain often distorts our perspective of God. We question His goodness, blame Him for everything that’s gone wrong and decide we’ll never ask Him for anything again. God is not afraid of these raw moments or what they expose in our life. In moments like these, I try to put things back in perspective and look at God’s character throughout eternity instead of the lens of the moment.

Secondly, these seasons cause us to isolate. In this story, Naomi tried to send Ruth and her other daughter in law away. Bitterness tries to convince us that being alone is safer than being with people who love us. However, God often brings Ruth’s along side us during these seasons. They are people who refuse to leave, aren’t intimidated by our grief and won’t let us walk alone. They may not understand the pain you’re going through, but God has graced them with the work of restoration. I believe they are a sign to us of God’s mercy in hard times. Instead of continuously pushing them away, embrace what God is trying to do through them.

Finally, bitterness often blinds us to what God is doing behind the scenes. Naomi couldn’t see the harvest in Bethlehem that was waiting to be gleaned, the kinsman redeemer in the field looking for Ruth or the lineage to the Messiah she would now be a part of. Bitter season often reveal how limited our vision is and how active God’s hand is. I’m reminded of Psalm 126:5 that says, “They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.” Every sorrow we surrender to Him becomes seed in what was once barren ground. Every tear becomes prayer that waters those seeds. God does not waste bitter seasons. Instead He turns them into fertile soil for future harvests. God is already doing the work of restoration even though you can’t see His hand now. The time of joy is on the way.

Photo by Atiar Ahmed on Unsplash