When someone hurts us by what was said or done; a betrayal or broken promise, taking something that is rightfully ours, or treating us wrongly in other ways, deep pain is there. The good news is we can decide how we will react to it. Christ Jesus has made that possible.
Proverbs 24:29 says: “Do not say, ‘I will do to him as he has done to me; I’ll pay that man back for what he did.'” ‘Pay back’ is a natural reaction, but we can choose not to allow ourselves to operate in the natural. We can choose to operate in the spirit. “Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:25)
The first thing we must do is to go to the Lord about it. We must talk to Him before we talk to anyone else. Our selves included. He alone knows all of the issues and circumstances, and all those involved. He alone has the power to work it for our good. (Romans 8:28) We must trust that He will, and is, and live accordingly. We cannot allow this to steal our joy from the other things in our life.
His Word says: “Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12: 14-19)
No doubt each of us have been wronged, and each of us understand the desire to want to hit back. But we must instead trust the Lord, and walk in faith that He ‘has this’ because we have given it to Him. If we allow this wrong to stay on our mind, we will be looking at it instead of the power, and love of Christ Jesus. If we allow it to dwell in our mind, we shall be angry, and frustrated, and display the results of our feelings accordingly. We shall give the evil one a foothold. We shall say things and do things that can hurt others in our life. As the Word says, “Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.” We are the witness of His love, and what it looks like to trust in Him in all circumstances.
His Word says, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) Because of ‘His goodness’ that dwells in us, we can forgive that person who wronged us even though they have not asked for it. We forgive, leave it in God’s hands, and live in His goodness. We are not weighed down by it. We overcome evil with good by ‘doing unto others as we would have them do unto us’ (Matt 7:12) We do that in His strength.
“For we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,” God’s Beloveds. Walk in His strength. Walk in His freedom. Walk in His grace, and forgiveness, and goodness, and Love.
Poppa B.
Abundant Life Christian Fellowship, On Line