When they came to Marah, they could not drink its water because it was bitter. (That is why the place is called Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What are we to drink?”

~Exodus 15:23-24 NIV

Childhood Games

In childhood, my friend and I would pick green blackberries and stuff a handful of them into our mouths at the same time as a game. Whoever chewed and swallowed the berries first won.

Most often, the bitterness overwhelmed me. I’d spit them all out and let her win. They left a terrible taste in my mouth. Afterward, we’d search for plump ripe ones to eat to alleviate the bad taste left by the bitter blackberries.

Bitterness in Life

As Christians, we may find ourselves in a bitter place in life. Bitterness can settle into our hearts during struggles such as job loss, betrayal, or the death of someone we love deeply. We may become crushed and devastated by the loss.  

Life can become distasteful and hard to swallow in these difficult times. We may wonder if we’ll ever taste the sweetness of life again. We can get so wrapped up in our suffering that we may grumble instead of seeking God.

Trust Is a Must

Then Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a piece of wood. He threw it into the water, and the water became fit to drink.

~Exodus 15:25 NIV

We must seek God in suffering, and the bitterness will become bearable. It may be a matter of time, a change in life circumstances, or our surrender to God’s plan, but simple trust is a must. He knows the beginning to the end and back again. He’s completely trustworthy and knows what we’re going through because He suffered, too. He understands betrayal and endured loss.

Jesus, the Living Water

The water of life will become sweet again when we seek God. It will be good to drink because Jesus is the living water, and He never leaves us in the bitter places of life.

How has God made your bitterness better?

Heavenly Father, thank You for never leaving me in the bitter places I’ve passed through. Thank You for walking with me through those difficult moments when I didn’t know how I’d get through. I praise You for loving me in this way. Without You, life would remain a bitter place. In the powerful name of Jesus, amen.

Genre: Non-fiction

Copyright 2023: A Bitter Place: Melinda Cooper: All Rights Reserved