Now the two of them went until they came to Bethlehem. And it happened, when they had come to Bethlehem, that all the city was excited because of them; and the women said, “Is this Naomi?” But she said to them, “Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD has brought me home again empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the LORD has testified against me, and the Almighty has afflicted me?” So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. Now they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
(Ruth 1:19-22, NKJV)
It’s okay to be upset with God. Does that shock you?
A lot of people seem to think it’s somehow wrong to tell God everything on their hearts—even when that “everything” includes anger or fear or frustration.
Have you read Job lately? Or the Psalms? Or what about Moses? Or Abraham—the father of the nation of Israel lied about his wife twice because of fear. Many, many times, people cried out to God in their fear, their pain, their confusion … and yes, their anger. Naomi joined other devoted followers of God in when she complained about God’s “affliction” as she told the women in her hometown that she wanted to be called “Mara.”
Bitter.
Have you felt bitter about what’s happening to your life? Have you felt that God has afflicted you? Have you felt empty?
It’s okay to cry out to Him. It’s okay to tell Him you’re upset or angry or confused. He knows your heart anyway. Just make sure you do as Naomi did: Even in her pain, she never denied her God.
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