One
alternative to forgiveness is vengeance, which is an obstacle to happiness. The
purpose of vengeance can be to side-step other troublesome emotions, like
betrayal and hurt which are too painful to face. A person’s heart and mind may become so
preoccupied with vengeance, forgiveness seems completely out of the question.
Divorce has the capacity
for birthing and nurturing vengeance. Decades after a divorce, disgust and
hatred still can dominate the lives of those who once loved and cherished each
other. Research indicates that the emotional wounds inflicted by what caused divorce
may remain raw and unhealed for years. Forgiveness counseling helps to heal these
wounds.
What produces an attitude
of vengeance? Vengeance is driven by the need to punish, if only in a passive-aggressive
mode. The tragedy of this attitude is the influence it has on your relationship
with God. Why don’t you consider giving it up by turning it over to the Lord
Jesus Christ? It would please him for you to do so.
Do not take
revenge on others or continue to hate them, but love your neighbors as you love
yourself. I am the Lord.
~Leviticus 19:18 Good
News Bible
My children, let
us love not merely in theory or in words – let us love in sincerity and in
practice!
~1 John 3:18 Phillips
– The New Testament in Modern English
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