Ah, vengeance!

You are up to your ears in issues, boiling over with frustration, rage, even hatred, right? It’s often these emotions and issues that have caused, worsened and complicated our eating disorders and recovery, isn’t it? 

I know I have had my share of this kind of mentality. Due to such things as abuse and neglect, it’s so easy to slip into a bitter mode of living. When we’re wronged, we want those people to pay!!!!

But before we unleash our wrath, we need to stop and see what God has to say about it.

“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves… for it is written, Vengeance [is] mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

Romans 12:19

Honestly, do we really believe that God will bless our efforts involving revenge against another person- or even ourselves? Yes, sometimes, we take it out on ourselves, making ourselves pay, punishing ourselves until we’ve “suffered enough” to make up for our sins.

But forgiveness seems to be God’s response to the anger issue doesn’t it?

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Colossians 3:13

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:32

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

Mark 11:25

No, it doesn’t feel warm and fuzzy, but it’s necessary to be healthy. It’s been a proven scientific study that bitterness is related to the development of such illnesses as cancer and heart disease.

Do we want to be healthy or do we want revenge?

 Forgiveness isn’t a feeling; it’s a choice. It is the choice to let God deal with it and get on with our lives. Forgiveness doesn’t necessarily feel like an instant event; often, it’s a day to day, learning process, enduring, growing and developing into more of who God’s called us to be in life.

So, if you feel like this furry cat, bent on wrath, stop, turn to God, choose to forgive yourself and anyone else you need to. God’s taking care of it- and you! Don’t interfere with His plan; get on with your life! God will honor that choice!