The Trap of Revenge

Do you guys ever want to get revenge? Boy, oh boy—this one hits a nerve for me.

I’ll be honest: I think I’ve experienced a lot of growth when it comes to the feeling of wanting revenge. Whether it’s because someone did you wrong, or because you want to prove them wrong, or because you want to get back at them somehow, we’ve all had those moments. That moment where you feel it rise up inside you, and you think, Oh, I just want to do something.

But let me tell you: don’t do it.

That desire for revenge? It’s a trap. And if you’re a believer, you know this too, because it’s not your job. Seeking revenge is something we’re told not to do. That’s God’s job. He sees it. He knows what happened. And you have to trust that He’s handling it in His time, not yours.

Your job? Sit back. Keep living your life. Keep doing the next right thing (thank you Frozen 2 for this message). Another thing is the age-old lesson of doing unto others what you would like to be done to you. Would you want someone to go out of their way to hurt you? I know I don’t. And I don’t think I’ve come across anyone who has taken revenge and felt better after. I mean, actually felt better. Sure, the momentary satisfaction is there, but then what?

One thing that really helped me sit with this feeling—OK, you can laugh—was rewatching the last season of Game of Thrones. (Yes, I’m serious. 😂)

Spoiler alert coming!
I think about that scene where Daenerys is sitting atop the Red Keep, completely overwhelmed with emotion. In that split second, she has a choice: does she stop? Does she show mercy and stay the good-hearted queen? Or does she give in and choose revenge?

And we all know how that turned out (not well, another reminder).

Watching it allowed me to feel that emotion, to recognize that urge for what it is, and leave it at that. It’s gotta stop there. You can feel it. You can process it. But don’t act on it.

It’s not worth losing your favor with God just to get a momentary sense of satisfaction. Don’t let revenge pull you into sin, just to make yourself feel better for a second. It’s not worth it. Because I believe that taking revenge will only lead you deeper into the pit of emptiness. Seeking a feeling of gratitude that will never come from this arena. So keep your chin up, and find gratitude in the things that bring positivity into your life instead.