I have often thought of "revenge" as some major guns-blazin' attack in the event of a serious injustice. And so in a way, I've probably given myself a lot of leeway regarding this verse. But lately, I've been thinking about subtle ways to take revenge. Here are a few common ways:
1. Silent treatment...if ever I get hurt feelings, am I guilty of sulking, in hopes that the other person might just grovel for the sweet sound of my melodic voice? When put that way, the silent treatment seems SO silly.
2. Sarcasm...somehow I'm going to really sock it to 'em by nasty, sarcastic zingers. I'm practically rubbing my little hands together, a snarl plastered on my face. Yes, I will cut the other person just as deeply as they did me.
3. Aloofness...perhaps if I act like I don't care that much and withdraw a little bit, pretending not to be overly invested, THEN, I'll have their attention and they'll do ANYTHING to win me over! Muwahahahaha!!!!!!! Childish.
4. Ill will...this is the kind that inwardly hopes for even slight demise; this is deep-seated and typically is accompanied by a root of bitterness- it is seething and malicious. It hopes for this person to be taken down a notch, or to do poorly in his/her endeavors. It is taking revenge in thought only, yet no worse than acting on it.
5. Wrath...this is more straightforward vengeance. This is when I spew words in machine gun-style, vitriolically and with the intent to injure, making revenge swift and efficient. I become like a stirred hornet's nest and not only will I feel WORSE than I did initially, but now, the other person has been dashed to bits.
Okay, I am sure there are many more ways to take revenge. But I wanted to meditate on this verse, thinking not about how it applies in only escalated situations (like terrorism), but about how it applies to me. My prayer is that in all of the little ways that I am hurt at the hands of another, I might not take even the slightest revenge. I want to entrust myself to the One who judges justly!
1 comment:
Now I understand why you've given me the silent treatment! : )
One thought on your post...sometimes, in our humanity, things do hurt us, and it might take a bit of time to bounce back...so maybe being silent is merely having hurt feelings. Proverbs 18:19 speaks to that...it's not condoning bad feelings between folks, but it does acknowledge offenses happen.
I love the I Peter passage you cited.
Good stuff--as always.
LY.
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