When we’ve been hurt, often the first thing we think about is retaliation. We want the people who hurt us to experience some of the pain that we’re feeling. But if we do seek revenge and retaliate to try and get even with them, we’re left with an awful sense of regret. And that’s because we know that retaliation is not how God wants us to respond. In fact, God says ‘Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it”’ (Romans 12:17-19 MSG). God is the One who will make everything fair in the end. Peter writes: ‘Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will bless you for it’ (1 Peter 3:9 NLT). Not retaliating when people hurt us is one thing; blessing them can often feel like a step too far. Take Joseph. He recognised that he wasn’t God and couldn’t judge his brothers for what they’d done. ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?’ (Genesis 50:19 NIV). He also forgave his brothers for what they did to him and then blessed them by promising to provide for them (Genesis 50:20-21). God has called us to bless those who hurt us, and He promises to bless us in the process too.

What now?
Is there someone you’re struggling to forgive? Today, spend some time praying for them. Ask God to show you how you can bless them.