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I just listened to a radio program in which some women confessed certain things they did, because they felt neglected by their husbands. They are now feeling guilty about what they did, and decided to seek counseling on a radio program. They are now suffering for reacting to what someone else did. 

By our very nature as humans, vengeance is the first thing that comes to mind when we feel offended. But I am yet to meet anyone who got lasting fulfillment, and joy from vengeance; I don’t know even one! 

Most often, vengeance is a downward spiral; where you hit back, and the other person also hits back; and it goes on like that, till one party calls a truce, forgives and let’s go! It is perpetual warfare; and you cannot rest when you are constantly at war! You will constantly be on the lookout for their next move! You cannot rest; you lose your peace, you lose your joy. In this tech era, some constantly check social media, to see what their opponent is doing; and become sad when their opponent appears happy! 

But the most tragic of all is, you lose your status and favor with God(Matthew 5:9,45,48)! 

The women felt guilty because they felt they had defiled and debased themselves; in reaction to someone else’s actions and behavior! And had lost respect in their own eyes, in the eyes of their accomplices, and others privy to what they have done. 

The truth is, it was never between them and the person; it was between them and God, and they failed God!

Mother Teresa put it in a beautiful poem that goes like this:

“People are often unreasonable, irrational and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

 If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

 If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

 If you are honest and sincere, people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

 What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

 If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

 The good you do today will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

 Give the best you have and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

 In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.” (Mother Teresa) 

Jesus echoes similar sentiments; in the ” Sermon On The Mount”

READ Matthew 5:38-48

 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. And whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:38-48)

I must admit that these are very very hard teachings; and would be very difficult to follow without faith, grace and a strong belief in the fact that God has our best interest at heart. A belief that His rules are meant to accomplish His perfect and divine purpose in our lives, and ultimately give us peace, and joy that surpass all understanding; the kind that comes from within, and does not depend on what happens around us, or what people do. 

When you are able to visualize these as the end results, then it is easier for you to continue doing good, and being good; and continue to bear all things, believe all things, hope all things, endure all things(1 Corinthians 13:7)

Ultimately, you will be grateful that you stood firm and overcame; and also spared yourself the guilt of putting your values aside and doing something which is not “you”; and which no excuse or blame can take away! 

Why would you want to feel dirty, defiled and depraved because someone decides not to do the right thing? As one woman put it in a clip I saw recently, 

“What did I do? The punishment affects both of us. I don’t like your methods!”

Although the woman was addressing her girlfriends, we can also, by the grace God has given us, tell Satan in his face;

“What did I do wrong? The way you want me to react to this situation affects and punishes both of us; even my family! I don’t like your methods!”

Difficult teaching but very wise.

He would later tell his disciples,

MEMORY VERSE

 “Be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16)

QUESTIONS

1. Have you been wronged so much, become so bitter and on the verge of revenge?

2. Why not rather choose to remain perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect(Matthew 5:48)? It is difficult; but possible!

PRAYER TIP

Pray that God strengthens you to endure till the end and receive your crown(James 1:12).

Written by:

BENNY MALM

For:

TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL