Power for Relationships:
Release Not Revenge – Part 2

Scripture Reading:  Romans 12:17-21

Key verse: Romans 12:19

Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

As we continue our study of God’s first principle for healthy relationships, we must learn to act out an unnatural response to hurt.  As we said yesterday, the natural (fleshly) way to respond is revenge.  God’s divine way (Spirit) is to release people from our desire for revenge.

            God puts His Spirit in us in order to help us be independent from the hurts of relationships.  We feel the pain, but then release it to God and release our power to take revenge.  Without Jesus in us, we can become mere reflections of those standing in front of us.  If they are nice, then we are nice.  If they are mean spirited, then we reflect that back to them.  We become a mirror person rather than a Christ like person.

            Releasing our pain to our Father in heaven is a critical step in this process.  Our scripture in Romans reminds us that God is watching out for us and will take revenge when He judges it is appropriate (Romans 12:19).  If we take revenge, God’s work is stopped and we become weaker in our walk with Him and others.  If we trust His protection and care over our lives, we will grow stronger in our walk and in our relationships.

            After releasing our hurt to our Father, then it is possible to release people from our desire to take revenge.  Our relationships can continue to grow and stay healthy rather than toxic.  God’s principles work…every time!

Father, I will trust you to watch over me.  I will turn all my hurts over to you.  I will release those who hurt me from my power to take revenge.  In Jesus’ Name, Amen.