241/365: When Revenge Wants To Take Control

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5: 15

One thing is certain... revenge or "payback" doesn't end the conflict... it only escalates the trouble. It makes things worse, not better.

Instead of searching for revenge, why not attempt to be the bigger man. The man with poise and restraint is the one in control. God can help you with that.

It can be difficult keeping a lid on your urge to "make them pay for what they did." First, confess any desire for revenge and off-load it quickly.

The longer it cooks under the surface, the more likely you will be to act. Second, pray for the strength to forgive - this is where life and freedom live.

GO DEEPER: 1 Peter 2: 21-25

Ethan Rogers

on 08/29/2023 at 08:27 PM

wow. excellent topic today. So true is the freedom in being the one who creates peace. God's love makes this possible.

Kevin Miller

on 08/29/2023 at 05:05 PM

I used to have a big problem with this. I would try to payback every wrong done to me some way. It finally led to drugs and alcohol to deal with the emotions involved. I’ve since learned via a12 step program how to deal with these things in a godly manner.

Boyce Moses

on 08/29/2023 at 02:17 PM

It’s so easy to think power is getting revenge, but the real power is in having the ability to forgive. So relieved when I forgive someone. Takes a load off myself. Many times the person that I feel wronged me doesn’t even know I forgave them, but I know in my heart. Love you Jesus! ❤️💛💚🧡

Brandon Pembleton

on 08/29/2023 at 02:15 PM

Revenge is a damned thing that is rooted in ego. If I really think about all the times I truly wanted revenge or even went about seeking and doing acts to avenge something it is nearly always rooted in my ego getting hurt. Ego says you wronged me and I should make you pay. The thing I’ve found is the only one who tends to pay with revenge is the person (myself) seeking revenge. It takes a lot energy to stay keyed up long enough to take revenge. It takes mental energy to keep that spreadsheet going of “the score” and then immense energy plotting out how to even the score. When I don’t have to do any of that. I can discard that spreadsheet and ask God to help that other person instead. It may take many prayers if I was severely wronged and it may take time. I do know that God takes the burden on and I don’t have to carry that weight anymore. That’s where the peace is at brothers. Pray that you are the last person to be wronged because God mended those wronged you and they found salvation and healing instead of more harm and escalation. This is the way of real peace and how our broken world can heal up. I love you God amen 🙏

Daniel

on 08/29/2023 at 02:08 PM

I struggle with this alot. I always want to avenge the wrongs I see done to people in this world. To me I feel like I'm doing some type of "justice", when in fact I've just sinned or put myself on the same level as the person I thought had done wrong. I needed this scripture and meditation today. Prayers to everyone

Barry

on 08/29/2023 at 01:54 PM

Good morning my brothers. For Tommy Williamson, dear brother i never thought anybody could go through the EXACT same thing as i did! Wow. It was my constant companion until i finally forgave. To all of us, may we stay closer to our loving Saviour. God keep us all this week.

Ashley Jarvis

on 08/29/2023 at 01:39 PM

Our urge to retaliate comes from seeing something in their words or actions that we have yet to clean from ourselves… the truly freeing part of recovery is the inventory of harm done to us, AND the harm done to others. Once we fully wrap our minds around the fact that we are ALL hurt people, who hurt people, we can see through the words and actions of others to the scared child inside of them… We find empathy rather than anger. We imagine what must have happened to them, to be so angry. What must be going on in their life, to talk to someone in that way. So, we pray for them, that they may find the path which leads them to their own reconciliation with God, and we take comfort in our faith that God’s will is just, and is right, and that when I’m in the position of receiving from such a person, the most Godly way of planting a seed is by responding in Grace rather than anger or retaliation. God calls us to act in the exact opposite of the way the world teaches us. This is how we turn heads, not with our rebuttals, but with our empathy and love, 🙏🏻

Tommy Williamson

on 08/29/2023 at 01:30 PM

Praying for Jeff, Larry and all other brothers brothers dealing with desires of revenge and are holding grudges toward someone. Let me just say this from my own personal experiences, holding grudges and wanting revenge for a wrong done to you does nothing at all to the other person. However what it does does do is establish footholds in your life for Satan and his forces to cling onto in your life to battle you and your faith. For years I held grudges against numerous people who had bullied me, against my brothers who abused me in many ways including sexually, against a friend who turned me onto porn, my parents who failed to protect me and toward myself for not being stronger and not resisting it more. However while standing at the deathbed of one of the brothers who had molested me I found strength to tell him that I forgave him for all him and our brother had done to me. That moment I felt such a relief come over me and over the years since as I have either physically or mentally (if I could not tell someone in person), or by letters or texts written no matter if they were sent or not each one has brought the same release. Yes the hardest person to forgive has been myself but I have had to do that with each person I forgive or I am still holding on and Satan still has control. Release those grudges and get them out of your life.

Elliott

on 08/29/2023 at 01:14 PM

Good morning, brothers. After reading today's message it reminded me of Matthew 5:11.“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me". Have a blessed day and remember Matthew 5:5 "blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth".

Larry

on 08/29/2023 at 01:05 PM

Please pray for me in this area.

michael f vinning

on 08/29/2023 at 12:28 PM

This was much needed today. I was ready to go to war with someone who totally deserves my retaliation, doesn’t matter, I deserve a lot worse than Gods unconditional love-yet He still loves me, so today I free us both from my need for justice! Thank you Jesus.

Mike S

on 08/29/2023 at 12:28 PM

Praying for all of you today Hold tight to James 1:19-21 and have a good week

ScottF66

on 08/29/2023 at 12:26 PM

I am easily angered by the actions of selfish people and those who do harm and damage to others. My mind begins to plot and scheme all of the ways that they could be hurt, damaged, or destroyed. it is my thoughts that are hurtful and I struggle with it. I continue to seek peace and forgiveness for those with unjust actions. I have to keep reminding myself, that one day they will answer for their ways.

Robert McFaddin

on 08/29/2023 at 12:20 PM

Prayed Jeff

Jeff McKinney

on 08/29/2023 at 12:14 PM

As I have gotten older - revenge or payback is not relevant anymore but forgiveness??? I truly need to pray and need prayer! That sin sometimes takes over during my devotion time. Please pray for me

Clayton Lindner

on 08/29/2023 at 11:53 AM

Thank you Lord for your word and message of restraint and love.

241/365: When Revenge Wants To Take Control

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