I wonder, have you ever comforted yourself by wishing harm on someone who has harmed you?

You know, have you ever lay in bed plotting how you’d get them back?

In Genesis 27, Esau is enraged over the deception involving the blessing and birthright, and Rebekah tells Jacob, “Surely your brother comforts himself concerning you by intending to kill you.” (Gen 27:42)

And I wonder, have you ever comforted yourself by wishing real harm on someone who has harmed you? Well maybe not. But how about wishing harm on someone who has harmed your children, dear momma bear?

Well, if I’m honest, I have. And the truth is, there is really no comfort in that but only bitterness and knot-in-your stomach stress.

But the times I’ve prayed for my enemies and prayed with my children for those who have mistreated and hurt them, there has been legit peace and real relief.

This is certainly countercultural in our world.

But, let me ask you, how will a “people walking in darkness” see the great light inside of us if we look just like the dark world?

Our response has to be different in our day-to-day interactions with others.

If we believe the Bible to be the true words and instruction from the God of the Universe, whom we say we call Lord, then it should be evidenced in how we live.

We should routinely hold the mirror of truth up against our own noses and ask ourselves if we are truly living so others see something different in us.

We should look at the Word, like passages below, and prayerfully ask ourselves, is this me?

“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. “ (Rom 12:17-21)

And as we follow the Lord, instead of our flesh that so often gets us in trouble, we will find peace.

And others….they may just see our Savior…in us.

readGenesis

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