A car dangerously cuts in front of another driver in a hurry. The offended driver steps on the accelerated in rage so as to cut off the offender. A customer comes into a fast food restaurant. But her food is not prepared to her liking. She becomes loud and abusive and winds up slapping the innocent worker behind the counter. A student is bullied for a long time in his high school. In a secret pact with a friend, they gather weapons for their tragic revenge on anyone who gets in their way. Where will the cycle of offense and revenge end?
Romans 12:20-21 says, “To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink, for by so doing you heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” It is our natural instinct to seek revenge when we are wronged. But revenge is its own form of evil and generally enlarges the cycle of offenses and revenge. It is far more effective to overcome evil with good. We can do this by trusting God to judge evil. He knows and empathizes with our hurts. God calls us to leave vengeance to Him.
Reluctant Retiree 