Vengeance Isn’t Mine

As you continue on this journey of forgiveness, you stop dead in your tracks when your mind goes to that one person - that deep-seated hurt that has taken permanent residence within your heart. 

"You don't expect me to forgive them, do you?" you cry out.

Forgiveness of this magnitude is easier said than done.

The thought of forgiving someone who has hurt you that much can feel impossible; I get that.

It feels like a weak move to forgive and let them off the hook. What they did was inexcusable, and your anger tells you they deserve punishment and should suffer as much as you have. 

I get that, too.

But honestly, aren't you the one doing the suffering?

You suffer every time you retell the stories. You feel it all over again when you pull it out from the depths within you. The hurt and anger fill every part of you for the wrongs done to you.

Somehow, you think holding back forgiveness and keeping them imprisoned in your mind is a form of righteous vengeance.  

But it is you who is locked up in chains. 

Can you see that holding on to this deep sorrow and anger hurts you more than them? 

They aren't even with you when you rehash these stories and feel the pain as you cycle through the story again and again.

It's just you, alone with your anger and hurt. 

If that's not suffering, I don't know what is.

It is time to be set free.

Jesus is with you on this journey, remember?  

He is hearing all of this and knows what you have endured. He also knows it is time for you to remove your chains and be free of your suffering.

Hand it over. Literally.  

Gather your pain-filled story, complete with all the anger and resentment, and give it to Jesus as if it is a deadly poison to you. 

Because honestly, it is.  

Let God do the avenging, and let Him heal this part of you. 

Every time the story pops up, keep handing that hurt and anger to Jesus.  

Be free my friend.  

Romans 12:19 

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.

1 Samuel 24:12

May the Lord judge between you and me. And may the Lord avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you.

Ephesians 4:26

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry,

Matthew 11:30

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.