Dr. Les Ollila addresses the issue of bitterness, using Naomi's story from Ruth to show how even godly people can turn bitter when they take their eyes off God's ultimate purpose during difficult circumstances.
Scripture Text
Ruth 1
Main Points or Ideas
- Sources of bitterness - Dissatisfaction can come from various areas: marital, occupational, physical, or personal circumstances, often arising when normal life suddenly turns difficult
- Departure and disaster - Like Naomi leaving Bethlehem for Moab, people often trust their own plans more than God's plans, leading to further complications and spiritual distance
- Symptoms of bitterness - Bitterness manifests through hopelessness about the future, pushing friends away, flagrant blaming of God, flawed testimony, fallen countenance, false view of the past, and failure to see present blessings
Conclusion
Bitterness is anger fully developed and discontent fully established, but believers must remember that God uses all circumstances to conform us to Christ's image, and failures are never final as long as God's grace is operating.
