The Vengeful Heart
Someone once said being angry at someone is like drinking poison and expecting that person to die. He couldn't have said it any better. Many at times we do get hurt by our friends, family, coworkers and so on. The hurt can linger for so long, even though we pretend we are not hurt. Then that person who hurt as before hurts us again. Then we say to ourselves " That's it!", We need to let that person have it. For a second, when we do that, we do feel good about ourselves. We think to ourselves, finally we have put him or her in his or her place. Then later it becomes obvious that that feeling of "victory" dissipates.
At least for us Christians we feel the impact of our actions. The hurt the person goes through and the unnecessary strain in the relationship we have with the person. Then all of of a sudden vengeance is not that sweet anymore. Romans 12:19 says...." Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord." Ephesians 4:26-27 also admonishes us to be angry but not allow the sun to go down on our anger. In so doing we do not allow the devil to have control over us.
The bible encourages us to let out our anger as it is a good thing. Bottling up our hurt will only eat at us and cause depression. We are, however, not supposed to let that anger take control over us so much that we cause damage to ourselves and others. Leviticus 19:18 says ... "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord." When we let go of the vengeful heart and see our neighbors as people we should treat like how we treat ourselves, we create a peaceful society. We also save ourselves from unnecessary stress from strained relationship and a situation of having to walk on egg shells at all times. We also improve our health and general well-being. So...Let go of that vengeful heart dear friend!
