During a family vacation in the Caribbean, I was robbed twice in three days. The first theft happened at night when someone stole my favorite sandals. A few days later at a different location, someone stole my beach bag in broad daylight. The crooks made off with a video camera, my wife’s watch, several articles of clothing and other valuables. I felt pretty violated the first time, but the second time really made me angry. I felt justified in wanting to punish the culprits. My wife told me to let it go, reminding me that someone must have needed those things more than I did.

I’ll never know who wronged me, but what do you do when someone you do know has hurt you or a loved one? If you are like me, you want to get even. But the Scriptures warn us that revenge is God’s job, not ours. If the offense was especially egregious, the legal system is in place to render justice. But even if it’s beyond anything the courts can remedy, taking matters into our own hands won’t work. It will most likely only make matters worse. Whatever offense you’ve experienced, put it in God’s hands. With perfect justice, he will handle it far better than we ever can.

“Revenge . . . is like a rolling stone, which, when a man hath forced up a hill, will return upon him with a greater violence, and break those bones whose sinews gave it motion.” – ALBERT SCHWEITZER

ROMANS 12:19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.

PROVERBS 20:22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the LORD to handle the matter.

MATTHEW 5:39 “But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”

PSALM 37:8 Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.