Years ago while my mom was in the hospital, the doctors pulled the family into the consultation room. It was in there that they told us they had done all they could and hospice would be taking over. We had been praying for her for nearly a year at that point. The news hit us hard. My dad asked if we could stay in the room a little longer after the doctor left. We prayed over her as a family and then he said something that I’ll never forget. He said, “We will still pray and believe for her healing, but each of you need to purpose in your heart right now that you won’t get bitter if God doesn’t heal her.” I remember thinking about that and vowing not to. After she passed away, keeping bitterness out was hard. I’m thankful that he knew it would try to creep in when things didn’t go our way.
In the book of Ruth, Naomi had to leave her home because of a famine. While living abroad her husband and two sons died. She decided to return to Bethlehem rather than to stay in a foreign land. Her daughter in law Ruth went with her. When they arrived, people were excited to see her, but things had not gone her way. In verse 20-21 she told them, “Don’t call me Naomi. Instead, call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me home empty. Why call me Naomi when the LORD has caused me to suffer and the Almighty has sent such tragedy upon me?” (NLT) Bitterness had taken over her life and she blamed God for all the bad things that had happened. It wasn’t until her grandson was born that she realized the goodness of God had been with her the whole time and her joy returned.
Hebrews 12:15 says, “Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” When you’re going through a difficult time, you need to purpose in your heart to not become bitter towards God. You also need to remember that His grace is sufficient for you in what you’re going through. Rely on His strength rather than your understanding. Both grace and bitterness are contagious. One brings healing while the other infects and corrupts the faith of others. It’s not an easy thing to do, but if you will purpose in your heart to trust God’s plan over the moment you’re in, bitterness won’t be able to take root.
Photo courtesy of Abdulaziz Alfawzan on Unsplash.
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