When someone does me wrong, I want to see them pay. I want to see them suffer. I might even plot against them in my mind considering how I might get them back. But…
Life has taught me that revenge is never as sweet in reality as my mind seems to promise me it would be. It always extends my own suffering to hold a grudge. And retaliation wastes so much unnecessary time and resources — that could be better allocated to recovering, forgiving, and moving on enjoy my day.
Like so much other wisdom, I didn’t have to learn it the hard way by making all those mistakes myself (and by withholding forgiveness just hurting my own mental health, not the other person). The Word of God has been warning me the whole time, if I would have just listened — and not chosen to let my emotions and desires rule over me.
Lord, thank you for teaching us another Way that is so much better. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 5:15 NLT
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
https://bible.com/bible/116/1th.5.15.NLT
Matthew 5:43-48 NLT
“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
https://bible.com/bible/116/mat.5.43-48.NLT
Romans 12:17-21 NLT
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
https://bible.com/bible/116/rom.12.17-21.NLT
1 Peter 3:8-12 NLT
Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it. The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right, and his ears are open to their prayers. But the Lord turns his face against those who do evil.”
Harold J. Ballinger 