But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. GENESIS 50:20(KJV)

We will be persecuted, hated, mistreated, misunderstood, lied about, gossiped about, and there will be those who go beyond this to hurt us deeply, leaving scars that last for a lifetime. Sometimes the attacks will come from those closest to us, sometimes from within our own family, often from our circle of very close friends, and sometimes from people we thought were our best friends. There is no escaping this reality. Sooner or later people we loved and trusted will let us down, and some of them will turn on us.

Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you, his blessing. 1 PETER 3:9(NLT)

This instruction goes contrary to all natural tendencies. If others dump unpleasantness into our lives, we instinctively want to shovel it back at them. But the believer is not to repay evil for evil. Meting out retribution for an evil act is simply not our responsibility. It is the wrath of God that will enact judgment on evil. God will give vengeance and ultimately judge the works of mankind. The Lord Jesus is the perfect example of how we are not to repay evil for evil. “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly”

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. HEBREWS 12:3(NIV)

There is certainly a place for God’s wrath, but We are to be characterized by grace, kindness, mercy, love, and peace, not revenge. We must keep our focus on Christ, following His example of mercy and forgiveness.

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. LUKE 6:35(NKJV)

Prayer of the Day: Father in the name of Jesus, I receive grace to respond differently to people opposing me. Use my Christ-like response to turn everything the enemy meant for evil for my good.