Revenge-God’s Justice

Is it easy to let someone’s wrongful actions go?  I say it’s not.  When you’ve been wronged, emotions are high to make yourself whole again and human nature seeks the best way of getting revenge. 

Sometimes I look back at a situation I’ve been in and someone said something harsh to me and I couldn’t think of how to respond at that time so I stayed silent.  Later, when I could think of what to say. I wish I would have said it. But what if I would have said it then, would it have escalated into a fight?

What about thinking about what to say ahead of time?  Thoughtful revenge is plotting exactly what to do or say after you’ve been repeatedly hurt.  For example, It could be somebody getting on your nerves with the things they say repeatedly.  So you think of something to say to them and the next time they say that thing you’re gonna really let them have it.  But, Instead of letting them have it, how about asking them why they are saying those hurtful things and tell to stop?  Sometimes people don’t realize they are hurting you. 

How about instant revenge?  You’re driving along and minding your business and the other driver is rude and does something to jeopardize your safety.  Instant revenge is to give them the finger.  In some cases this feels good and settles things but these days that simple act can lead to road rage and escalate into violent acts including lost of life. It’s hard to ignore folks rudeness, especially when driving but sometimes you have to.

I’m not saying one always have to ignore wrongful acts, but it’s impossible to correct every wrong.  Sometimes you have to let things go because it’s something called  God’s justice.  You may not be able to repay a person for doing you wrong; but God sure can just like He said in Deuteronomy 32:35.  For example, If someone cheats you out of money, you may not be able to get the money back or punish them.  But God can fix it so that the money becomes useless to them; like getting bills they didn’t expect.  Unlike us who try to fix things and in the process cause another problem like starting a fight or hurting an innocent person, God knows exactly how and when to minister vengeance.  Leave it to Him, He will repay. I can personally attest to this.

Scripture references: 

Deuteronomy 32:35 To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. 

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Telling Or Not Telling Something Sensitive

You know how it goes, somebody tells you something sensitive and tells you not to tell nobody.  It can be a hard situation to be in because if you tell someone then you break your word or lie.  But what if what they told you is so compelling that it almost requires you to tell someone?  For example, what if someone told you they would so something that jeopardizes their safety.  Would you say something to someone who could intervene or keep quiet?  In a case like this, I don’t think I could live with myself if something happened to them so I’d say something even though it may mean them getting angry at me.

What if what they told you was still sensitive, but wouldn’t jeopardize their safety.  Yet, it’s killing you to keep it to yourself.  Do you tell somebody that doesn’t know them.  Or, do you tell someone that does know them and just tell them not to say anything.  This happens often.  I confess I’ve kept a lot to myself but there were times when I just couldn’t.

Now what if you found out something sensitive about somebody, would you tell it?  This is a real sticky one.  There are a lot of factors that go into making this decision.  Does it involve something illegal? immoral?  Will telling it help or hurt someone?  The bottom line is not to spread hurtful things unnecessarily like explained in 1 Timothy 5:13.1  And to keep the tongue in check for what you.  The tongue can be unruly like explained in James 3:18.2

 Scripture references:

11 Timothy 5:13 And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

2 James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

It’s God’s Will

If faced with accepting tragedies or difficult outcomes

At what point do you keep praying for a favorable outcome

Or, realize this situation is God’s will and accept the unfortunate situation?

I’ve seen situations where I thought folks should just say it’s God’s will

A good example is praying for a person who is terminally ill

I would factor in science, like the age of a person, overall health, etc.

And based on science and reality, it’s unlikely they are going to recover

And I be tempted to tell them this

But I say nothing because, one, it would hurt them deeply 

Two, It may backfire on me in terms of our relationship 

Three, I’m not God and don’t know if He really will do a miracle 

The reality is sometimes no matter how hard you pray, things won’t change 

And we have to accept the unfavorable because it’s God’s will

Job said we won’t receive just good at God’s hands 1

Some may argue you are not getting your prayers answered 

Because your faith isn’t strong enough 

After all, God said delight yourself in Him and He will give the desires of your heart2

And the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much 3

But, when is it realistic to stop praying and accept God’s will?

There is no answer, But God can make you comfortable regardless what state you are in

And God will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding. 4

Scripture references:

1 Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

2 Psalms 37:4 Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.

3 James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

4 Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.