How you and I look at life, how we think – will be shown in our actions and our words. The Bible is a true resource that tells us what we are to do and not to do, as followers of Christ.

Let’s look at (New American Standard Bible) Ephesians 4:30-31 “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”

Strong words of warning, of what we are not to do … and they are followed by words of what God wants us to do:

(NASB) Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”

***Naomi and Ruth have traveled to Bethlehem from the land of Moab. As they entered the city, they were met. Many recognized Naomi but at the same time the question was asked “˜Is this Naomi?’ “˜Listen’ to her response:

(NASB) Ruth 1:20-21 “She said to them, “˜Do not call me Naomi; call me Mara, for the Almighty has dealt very bitterly with me. 21 I went out full, but the Lord has brought me back empty. Why do you call me Naomi, since the Lord has witnessed against me and the Almighty has afflicted me?”

***Resentment and bitterness are the first recorded words that the women of Bethlehem encountered when they went out to welcome Naomi back.

How would you react if someone had those words come out of their mouths as you went out to greet them? Ruth was there, she had probably heard those words before; she had probably heard the tone of voice and saw the facial expression of embittered Naomi.

What had Naomi not recognized? She had two daughters-in-law who loved her. One had come to Bethlehem with her, loyally committed to Naomi. Ruth probably was a good listener as she listened to Naomi’s bitter self-pity.

Ruth put into practice what Scripture states: (NASB) 1 Corinthians 13:4-6, 8a “Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;” 8 Love never fails.”

Consider Ruth: she evidently was patient, kind, did not act unbecomingly, did not seek her own, was not provoked, did not take into account the wrong she suffered from her mother-in-law’s bitter tongue, and she was loyal in loving this woman who had become a mother to her. Ruth chose to love her mother-in-law despite the bitterness Naomi carried.

Who do you know who is bitter and needs to be loved and given patient kindness?

Your prayers are private and personal and God is waiting…