I’m sure we’ve all heard the saying
This saying suggests that revenge is more satisfying when it’s not inflicted right at that moment when your desire to seek revenge is triggered. It implies that waiting allows time to plan careful what we’ll do and when, which in turn makes our revenge more effective. It’s also true that the longer we take actually take our revenge, the more likely it is that the target of our revenge will not be expecting our retaliation, and will be surprised and we will find it even more satisfying.
That all sounds really good doesn’t it. The challenge of planning our revenge, and the satisfaction of the shock when our target realises we have achieved our revenge. However let me ask you this, does this sort of behaviour sound like something we as Christians should be doing?
Let me share a verse from Leviticus:
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord.
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV)
Wow, that’s clear isn’t it? Revenge is not something any of us should be seeking with anyone, regardless of what someone may have said or done to us. But to go as far as telling us that instead of seeking revenge, we should love everyone, is quite a huge step isn’t it…and a very difficult one at that.
We’re all different, and therefore, it should not surprise us that we don’t all necessarily get on with everyone around us – there will be some we become friends with quickly; others we may take an instant dislike to; others we may be uncertain about when we first meet them; and then there will be those who initially we don’t really see eye to eye with, but gradually become best friends. Yes, we may all be different, but as Christians we have a reponsibility to try and love everyone, regardless of their background or their situation or their current need.
Instead of seeking revenge against those who hurt or upset us, choose to love them instead – you may find that surprises them even more then your revenge would have!
The Distinct Dot 