Revenge

So there's a new TV show that I've been watching called Revenge. It's about a girl who returns to a summer home that she lived in as a child under a new name and plans to take revenge on the people that framed her father for something he didn't do. Her new life revolves around getting revenge. As I was watching, I wondered what the Bible has to say about revenge. Here are a few of the verses I found:

• “‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." - Leviticus 19:18
• "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord." - Romans 12:19
• And on the Lords vengeance:  "The LORD is slow to anger, abounding in love and forgiving sin and rebellion. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation." - Numbers 14:18
• “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also." - Matthew 5:38-39

It makes me realize how wonderful our God really is. He didn't just make us, then leave us to fend for ourselves. He loves us and cares for us and punishes those who are guilty. It is not up to us to take revenge on those who have sinned, it's up to Him.

When you think about it, revenge is so unpredictable. People taking revenge are usually so bent on getting what they want that most rational decisions are out of the question. It's better God deal with it than us. He can bend the very laws of nature, so why not let him deal with those who have sinned?

I personally don't have issues with grudges, so revenge is almost never on the forefront of my mind. But for some people, like the Hampton socialites on the show, revenge and "the next move" always take precedent. So for people who do have anger in their hearts and when someone hurts them are automatically thinking about "getting back" at the person, take my advice: Learn to let go. It might be one of the hardest lessons you learn in life, but it will get you the farthest. You are always going to have people in your life who are going to anger you and push you to your limits. You can't always get back at them and have it all work out. Sometimes they will be you boss and taking revenge could get you fired. They could be your in-laws, and taking revenge on them would make for some awkward family holidays. Just learn to Let. It. Go. Learn to get past whatever happens and to not let it affect your daily life. Your life is what you make of it, not what others define it as. 

What that doesn't mean though, is to let people walk all over you. When someone wrongs you, instead of telling everybody and getting back at them, talk to them. Let them know how what they did to you made you feel. Sometimes what happened wasn't even maliciously intended. But if it was, ask what it was you did to anger them and try to right the wrong. This way, everything is out in the open and apologies can be made. Revenge is just a vicious cycle that continues until one person breaks and gives up. When taking revenge, nobody wins.

Well I have school in the morning, so ta-ta for now!

~JustAnotherGirl~

P.S. - Despite what this post is about, the show is actually really good! Two thumbs up!