“Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.” Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.” Proverbs 20:22 NLT
You have heard it said that it is better to respond than to react, and this is certainly true when it comes to how we act after we have been wronged. We may have a desire to lash out, to one up, to get even. “Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong”” and plant a seed in your own heart of revenge. That seed will begin to breed bitterness, and even if we try and get “even” that bitterness does not get appeased. Only more harm comes to the situation and all parties are injured but not satisfied.
You may have also heard the expression of “an eye for an eye”. It comes from the old testament in the law as recorded by Moses.
“Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted— a fracture for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Whatever anyone does to injure another person must be paid back in kind.” Leviticus 24:19-20 NLT
Too often this is taken out of context, it wasn’t a recommendation for retribution, but rather to limit irrational responses. We might call the unfettered progression an escalation of force today. The tendency might be to go above and beyond the wrong that was done. Reactions can get more and more damaging and there may be no end to the rising emotions.
The writer of Proverbs recommends a better response. “Wait for the Lord to handle the matter”. He will do so perfectly. He will ensure that no wrong will occur without resolution, and our hearts can be satisfied in Him rather than lost in conflict.
