get even or forgive?

01-22-2021

Fueled by worldly thoughts…

For 20 years I had been fueled by revenge, hatred, and greed. My goal in life was to gain success so that I could seek revenge against those who had wronged me in the past. When I rededicated my life to Christ at 27, I realized the only outcome of seeking my own vindication meant I would destroy the lives of others in the process.

It became, “how can I get back at these people for how they have wronged me,” and when I read, “Le Comte de Monte-Cristo — The Count of Monte Cristo,” as a boy, I structured my life around destroying evildoers and those who had crossed me, teased me, and bullied me.

I thought nothing would give me more pleasure than exacting my revenge, but I understand now how wrong I was, and yet, isn’t that what the world teaches us? Be unrelenting, seek to punish, and get even with those who have wronged us.

Moreover, in deepening my relationship with the Holy Spirit, I realized it was not my place to seek revenge for those who had wronged me. But it was my place to forgive them, offer them in prayer, and let the Lord carry out His will! Instead of trying to orchestrate my own.

Forgive everyone who has wronged you in the past. Commit their story to the Lord and the Lord will deal righteously with them in the end because it is no longer our place, but His.