Don't Get Even, Get Merciful

An interesting cliché from out of the past advised: “Don't get angry, get even,” but that advice isn’t compatible with the Christian faith. However there is an automatic reaction to being threatened physically or emotionally. On the other hand, feelings of vengeance can conceal the pain of humiliation, grief and hopelessness.

When Eric discovered his wife Jan was having an affair, he forced her to leave the house and promised that she would never see their children again. She had humiliated him before his family and friends, so he was determined to get even by separating her from their children by having their case heard before a jury. 

Jesus challenged an angry crowd who wanted to stone to death a woman caught in adultery. “He who has not sinned, let him cast the first stone.” There will be a moment when God speaks to your heart to give you wisdom for managing hurtful situations. His way includes forgiveness as opposed to retribution, understanding rather than hatred and real sorrow as opposed to bitterness. God heals broken hearts.  

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They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!”

Then he stooped down and again wrote in the dust. When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman.

Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord.” she said. And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”

~John 8:7-11 New Living Translation

Continue to be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

~Luke 6:36 Williams – New Testament in the Language of the People