We have all had that moment where we we’re upset with someone or a group of people. We have all had that moment where the perfect opportunity presents itself to get revenge on the person.. Right now as I am writing, I am going through this issue and it has forced me to think about my actions. What good would it do for me? What good would it do for them? And lastly, what good would it do for God?

I hate to break it to you, but not everyone in life will like you. There may not always be a reason, they may just decide they don’t like you for no fault of yours. Is it fair? No. However, there really isn’t anything you can do about it except pray.

Wait, it gets worse. Usually when someone doesn’t like you, they don’t treat you well. In fact, sometimes they can be quite hurtful. It happens to all of us. It makes me upset and sometimes even angry. I think it is justified frustration, but what do I do about it?

That is when the opportunity to get revenge usually pops into my head. They are rude, then even worse. Maybe they deserve to get it back. The devil is working to get in my mind and he is succeeding.

“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. On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21).

As hard as it is to set aside these thoughts of revenge, God is in our hearts. While people may choose to like us or not, God always loves us! He showed us His incredible love by sending His Son Jesus! And because he loves us, he will help us through these hard times. If we ask for his help and strength to renounce the devil and temptation, he will help us.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Romans 5:6-11 tells us that we have been reconciled with God through the death of Christ. Jesus died for sinners: sinners like us when we take revenge on those that have hurt us. Sinners like those who have hurt us. God, in His great mercy has chosen not to take righteous revenge on us for our sin. Because of Christ’s death, our sins are forgiven and our relationship with God is restored.

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.” Romans 5:6-11

When people show that they don’t like us, it can really hurt. When friends show that they no longer want a relationship with us, it can be devastating. The situation may take a while to resolve itself. In some cases, it may never fix itself.  I am so thankful that I continue to have a restored, loving relationship with God. With Him, I will always have an amazing friend by my side!

Contributed by Frankie