Have you ever been hurt and treated so badly by those who hate you that the only thing that you want to do is to exact vengeance on them? If you have, here's an encouragement for you: Every time you're tempted to get revenge, know that it's also a time for you to grow and be blessed.

Choose the best response

Our response to the hurt and unjust treatment we receive enables us to either represent God to others, bringing them closer to Him; or be the reason that they will never know how good He is. We might say that we have a right to avenge ourselves for what our offenders have done to us, but if we are in Christ, we should know better. Romans 12:17-21 tells us:

"Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

We should always choose the best response, my brothers and sisters. Instead of getting revenge, we should choose to forgive and release the offence to God, which allows Him to repay us for our actions.

God's desire is that all men will be saved and come to the knowledge of Christ. Thus, we should always choose that our offenders know God, come to repentance, and hopefully be saved.

'But that's difficult for me'

Yes, it's difficult to just forgive and let God exact vengeance for you, but we should realise that if we are sons and daughters of God, it's what we should do. We should learn to love even those who hurt us and hate us. Even if you don't become friends with them, at least don't do them evil.

The Lord Jesus clearly described how God's people should respond, in Matthew 5:43-48. He said:

"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."