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Getting Even
I recently ran across a website about taking revenge. I was actually stunned to see how many on-line sites are dedicated to the goal of getting even. From “thepayback.com” to “makehimpay.net,” scores of people share stories and tips on how to even the score with those who rub them the wrong way.
These people apparently live by the motto, “I don’t get mad. I get even.”
Getting even reminds me of the Old Testament character Joseph. If there was ever someone who had the “right” and the chance to get even, it was this guy. After his jealous older brothers sold him into slavery and staged his death (Genesis 37), Joseph eventually landed in Egypt, where God worked in his life through a remarkable set of twists and turns. By the time he was only thirty years old, Pharaoh put him in charge of the whole land of Egypt (Genesis 41:41-43).
Joseph was a wise ruler. During the productive years he stored up huge quantities of food to prepare Egypt for the years of famine that were sure to come. During a severe famine, when Joseph’s brother’s traveled to Egypt to buy food, an opportunity for revenge presented itself. But rather than get even and let his brothers have it, he set them up to demonstrate a level of mercy that could only come from God (Genesis 44-45).
His willingness to show mercy grew out of an awareness that he was involved in something much larger than himself, even his own mistreatment (Genesis 45:5; 50:15-22).
I don’t know about you, but I can get so caught up in how others have hurt me that I lose sight of how God (even though He didn’t intend for it to happen) may be redeeming it for a greater good? This story invites and challenges me to be more open to see my pain with redemptive eyes than I typically do. —Jeff Olson
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I grew up waiting to get even for what had happend to me in my early years. Still till this day I find to much REVENGE in my heart. I want others to get caught when they do anything wrong no matter how small, and that hurts me very much. I’m not as bad as I used to be, but it’s still there. Slowly God is working with me because my heart’s desire is to be totally free of it. Your title was good because in just two words it covers all areas when we want to repay evil with evil.
Thanks: Ron
I LIKE THIS TOPIC. IT REALLY TELLS ME I AM NOT ALONE. FOR A LONG TIME I HAVE HAD FEELINGS OF GETTING EVEN WITH THOSE WHO HAVE HURT ME. THIS FEELING USUALLY SEEMS TO WANT TO OVERPOWER ME. NOT THAT I GIVE IN BUT I WANT TO GET RID OF THE FEELING OVERALL. READING THIS SHOWS ME THAT I AM NO ALONE AND THAT THERE IS A AWAY OUT.
THANKS
I have been fasley accused of a crime I did not commit and I am accused by my sons father. Latley I find myself wanting to seek revenge