“Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The Lord has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me.”
Ruth 1:20-21

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We are in a sermon series about forgiveness. We know God does not sin—so how do we handle our anger toward Him? In today’s passage, Naomi blamed God for her considerable misfortune. She and her family had left home and gone to a foreign land because of famine. Then, her husband died. Ten years later, her two sons died. Far from home and without any men to support and protect her, Naomi was brokenhearted and destitute. She boldly renamed herself Mara, meaning bitter, rather than Naomi, meaning pleasant.

In the Bible, names often represent a person’s character. Sometimes, God gives someone a new name to describe a change in their calling or relationship with Him. However, since Naomi renames herself, it functions as a lament revealing her emotional and spiritual state. She is bitter, accusing God of emptying her once full life. Though her accusation may seem improper to us, honesty about our anger is the first step toward healing.

Even when Naomi was at her lowest, God was on the move. He acted through the kindness of Boaz, a distant relative, and Naomi’s daughter-in-law, Ruth. They demonstrated steadfast love much like God’s. Ruth and Boaz married and gave Naomi a home. Then they had a son, giving Naomi an heir. The blessings did not end there. God gave Naomi’s family the ultimate honor; King David and Jesus descended from their line (Ruth 4:14-17).

It can be challenging to understand why our good and loving God allows us to suffer. This question became personal for me in a surgeon’s office. Seeking relief from agonizing back pain, I waited for my imaging results. The doctor phrased my diagnosis by saying, “God did not fully form your spine.” Immediately, my mind went to Psalm 139:13, “You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Satan’s arrow hit its mark. I thought: God did this to me.

A previous trial had brought a precious closeness with God. Though I never wanted to suffer like that again, I was confident I could endure anything with God. This situation felt different. I was mad at God, but did not want to admit it. So, I ignored my feelings, unintentionally putting distance between us. However, God remained gracious and faithful anyway. He provided people to support me and answered our prayers for a successful surgery.

God tests our faith through trials so that we can know it is genuine. In contrast, Satan uses trials to tempt us into turning away from God. This experience taught me to be aware of Satan’s schemes. It also helped me be honest with God about my feelings. Constructive conversations about anger and disappointment are the hallmark of healthy relationships—including our relationship with God.

Next Steps

What is your conflict style? Are you more confrontational or avoidant? Can you express anger healthily? How does your conflict style affect your relationship with God?