“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” Romans 12:19

Many years ago when I lived in Oklahoma there was a person who just rubbed me the wrong way. One day as I was driving past her house, I saw her in her driveway trying to change a flat tire. I am ashamed to admit this, however it is true, I started laughing. She had hurt me by some unkind remarks she had made to me and I was glad she was having trouble. Guess what happened to me? Within an hour, I had three flat tires while I was driving!

Before you start judging me, I suggest you search your own heart. How many times have you wanted to say or do something in retaliation to someone? Perhaps you didn’t say or do anything but you thought it in your heart.

How about your husband or wife, have they said or did something that really upset and hurt you? You may have stopped talking to them for a while or ignored them. The Bible says that we are to be at peace with one another.

We need to ask God to forgive us for our bad thoughts and actions toward other people and let Him handle the situation. We must never forget that when we hurt other people, we hurt Jesus.

Joanne Lowe

May 20, 2005