For the month of April, I’ll be focusing on one of the Fruits of the Spirit: Peace. Is it possible to be at peace with everyone? What about those who hurt us… them, too?
“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.” (Romans 12:17-18)
Revenge is sweet. You’ve probably heard this expression. The theme of payback is a common one in movies, books, and TV.
There’s a part of all of us that loves to see the bad guy (or girl) get what’s coming to them. That’s fair, isn’t it? And we all love fair.
But it bears thinking about: Does fair give us peace?
Does making sure that the person who wronged us gets what they deserve leave us feeling at peace and satisfied? Or irritated and unhappy?
Revenge fiction portrays this sort of thing as a balancing of scales, which usually makes the main character feel both right and righted. All is well once again.
But there’s no Grace in Revenge
When I see my toddler and preschooler exchange hits in an explosion of frustration, I can see this tit-for-tat, exchanging-evil-for-evil sentiment in real time.
And as I head over to break it up, I usually never reach them before they are already running to my side. Why?
Because their revenge gave them no peace. And when they realized it, they went looking for a mediator to make the situation right.
And that is what we do with God. We sometimes buy into the idea that we should give as good as we get. Whether it’s a snide remark, an isolating cold shoulder, or a betrayal. We try it our human way, only to be disappointed with the results.
That’s when we look to God in search of the peace we want. And we find that the only way to have peace is by offering grace.
It’s no easy thing though. Getting an adult who’s been wronged by their friend or spouse to offer grace instead of anger is as hard as getting my 3-year-old to do the same. But it’s an act we can practice until it becomes easier. And we become more peaceful.
Keeping Peace in our Relationships
Don’t hit back, like my toddler. Don’t look for revenge. Instead offer grace.
It’s easy to get caught up in thinking that someone deserves their punishment. But if we’re going to follow that line of thought, then don’t we all deserve a lot worse for our own sins?
God doesn’t question whether we deserve the grace he’s given us. Or the forgiveness. Or the salvation. The question isn’t about what we deserve because we don’t deserve any of it. But we receive it nonetheless.
Can we not offer a small taste of grace to those around us when we ourselves are the recipients of some of the greatest grace of all?
Because within that grace lies our peace. And we all deserve that gift.
Have a blessed Monday!
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