Cursing Ourselves

^{Ruth 1:20} "Don't call me Naomi, " she told them. "Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. ²¹ 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."

Many of us are going through desperate situations right now. You may have a terminal illness or know of a loved one who does. You may have constant feelings of failure, which you subconsciously live out in your career and relationships. You may be living beyond your means and have no idea how you're going to manage.

Do you curse yourself during these times? Do you blame yourself and God for your illness and failures? Do you call yourself a loser? Or poor? Or unlovable? Do you allow your present circumstances to bring you down?

Stop speaking curses into your life today. Instead, allow God to speak to your heart. Know that your present circumstances are temporary. Step back and trust that God will see you through. He knows what He's doing. His purposes are always greater than ours.

Painting: "The Bitter Draught" by Adriaen Brouwer (http://www.1st-art-gallery.com)