Overcoming Bitterness through Prayer

In our daily lives, we all have moments when frustration takes over and we find ourselves grumbling about various challenges. It can be the weather, the traffic, a difficult boss, a troublesome family member, the overwhelming pressures of life, or the eternal struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. These complaints, big or small, are part of being human.

But when we feel like grumbling, there is a better way we can channel that feeling or thoughts. Instead of producing thoughts or words of grumbling, why not we turn those little grumbles into prayers? How to do that? Let’s learn from the life of Moses and the people of Israelites. When situations were favorable, they rejoiced and praised God, but when they did not get water or food on time, they immediately starting grumbling against God and started to quarrel with Moses.

Sometime we do the same. When God does amazing things for us, we are so excited, we jump and rejoice, praising God and bragging about his goodness, but the real test is when our prayers seems unanswered or when we don’t get what we desire, that’s when the real self within us, starts to manifest.

Let’s have a quick look at the people of Israel and Moses when they reached the place of Marah where the water was bitter.

When the Red Sea was parted, the Israelites were filled with joy and praise

Imagine this scene: two million (people of Israel), standing on the shores of the Red Sea, their hearts overflowing with gratitude and wonder. They had just borne witness to the miraculous parting of the Red Sea—an event that defied the laws of nature. The waters, on both sides, stood like towering walls, creating a dry path for their journey—an unmistakable sign of the Almighty’s hand at work.

Moses, their fearless leader, and the entire assembly broke into song. Their voices harmonized in a beautiful song filled with praise and thanks—a song destined to echo through generations. Their jubilation was so infectious that even the elderly, like Miriam, who was in her eighties, couldn’t resist joining the celebration. They raised tambourines high in the air, and the women, too, couldn’t help but be joyful as they sang, danced, and praised the Lord for this incredible rescue.

Consider the reactions of Moses, the Israelite people, and Miriam

When they encountered bitter waters, they began to grumble

However, as the Israelites continued on their divine journey, they soon arrived at a place known as Marah. The immediate need was water, a fundamental necessity for survival. To their dismay, the water they found at Marah was bitter and undrinkable. Frustration and discontent began to simmer among the people, and they started to grumble against Moses.

 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water. 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 15:22-24)

Just 3 days later!

They joy faded, praises disappeared, the people started to grumble. How soon!

They should have thought: The Lord who parted the Red sea is Almighty enough to provide water. The Lord was actually testing them. Instead of grumbling, they should have said, “This water is not fit for drinking, but the Lord who can divide the Red Sea can open a spring in this desert. Let’s wait on the Lord to see what mighty work is He going to do for us” and should have prayed instead.

Many times we behave in similar ways. Not many days after the Lord has done something great, we are quick enough to forget His blessings and soon start to complain about what we didn’t get.

Bible says:

Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits (Psalms 103:1,2)

Moses prays

In the face of their complaints and mounting pressure, Moses didn’t respond with frustration or anger. Instead, he did the right thing: He cried to the Lord. It was pleasing to the Lord. The Lord immediately provided a solution.

(Exodus 15:25, KJV) describes what happened next: “And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet.”

Moses could have reacted with anger or cursed the people. Or he could have blamed God for not providing basic needs for the entire people. But Moses trusted in the Lord. He knew that the Lord who led them till Marah has a way out. He has already seen the mighty hand of God in Egypt and throughout the journey. He knew that the Lord who led them out of Egypt will not forsake His own people. Instead, with great faith, Moses prayed to the Lord.

There is a beautiful song.

In moments like these, I sing out a song
I sing out a love song to Jesus
In moments like these, I lift up my hands
I lift up my hands to the Lord

Singing, “I love You, Lord”
Singing, “I love You, Lord”
Singing, “I love You, Lord”
I love You

The Lord revealed a tree to Moses

When Moses prayed, the Lord directed Moses to a tree, which, when cast into the bitter waters, miraculously transformed them into sweetness, performing a miracle.

Keep in mind, the solution is right at hand!

All it takes is a revelation from the Lord: “the Lord showed him a tree”

During times of bitterness, if we exercise patience and wait upon the Lord, He may reveal profound insights we’ve never encountered before. It will be the answers to your prayers. It will not only change your life but the life of thousands around you. Just wait for that revelation, when He shows you something, that you have never seen before. The tree was there, but when the Lord showed it, the tree became a solution.

Along with revelation comes wisdom: “when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet”

What to do with the tree? Put it into the waters! This is wisdom from God. Revelation + Wisdom = Your Miracle

Grumbling blinds us, whereas prayer illuminates