Chosen by God!

So the two of them continued on their journey. When they came to Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by their arrival. “Is it really Naomi?” the women asked. “Don’t call me Naomi,” she responded. “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?” (Ruth 1:19-21 NLT)

Ruth and Naomi continued on their journey reaching their destination – Bethlehem. Everyone is excited to have Naomi back but Naomi is bitter and blames God for her circumstances. She’s speaks to the fact that she has returned empty, a referenced to being a widow and motherless.

It’s easy to see what should be different in our attitude when we’re looking at someone else’s trauma. However, in the moment we each deal with the pain in different ways. We can choose to blame God becoming bitter or choose to seek God and be healed. I’m reminded of the importance of reaching my destination. Naomi started out for Bethlehem and she was determined to get there. Although despondent she made her way home. Sometimes going home, to a place of safety, is where you will see more clearly and possibly where things change.

Blaming God for our misfortunes is short sighted and unfair. In the case of Naomi her husband decided to leave Bethlehem because of the famine there. We’re not told in Scripture if He sought God or just made a logical decision based on the facts he could see or reason. Since we have the option of seeing the outcome there are some important lessons for us. We should first seek God. We should remember that what we see is not all that is going on. And finally we should always trust God. Even when we make poor choices God can turn them around for our good and His glory. That should be very encouraging to us.

FAITH CONFESSION:

Lord, help me to see Your hand in every experience I face. Let me choose healing over bitterness. Equip me to finish strong instead of giving up.

Be Encouraged! ❤

Leisa Wilkins Ministries

"Encouraging and Empowering you to become who God created you to be, God's Masterpiece, a Divine Original!"

Pastor | Author | Bible Teacher | Speaker | Encourager

www.leisawilkins.com