How to Find Peace Instead of Revenge

In researching an article about extreme cases of revenge I was shocked, and in some cases horrified, at the lengths to which people will go to get revenge. I'm not sure I realized just how deep and dark unforgiveness can run.

This realization made me thankful to realize that I have learned the answer to peace instead of revenge.

Revenge seeks to humiliate or harm who has wronged you. People often feel they deserve revenge because they have been humiliated, angered, or hurt. Some people seek revenge because they find fulfillment in the act. They mistakenly believe revenge is sweet. Revenge is actually cancerous. It builds and foments on hurt and anger.

In reality revenge serves no good purpose. You may feel better for having executed your own justice, but revenge solves nothing. In the absence of resolution you will not have peace.

You cannot erase your own harm or humiliation, and revenge only doubles pain. There are alternatives to revenge. I would call them pathways to peace.

Pathway to Peace: Forgive

Part of maturing is getting past the need for revenge. Letting go of the need for revenge requires learning the art of forgiveness.

Forgiveness means that you are willing to overlook the harm caused to you by another. It doesn't mean you will forget it. It doesn't always mend broken relationships, but forgiveness does break the bondage of anger and bitterness that restrains your heart.

Failure to forgive allows the other person to continue to control you, even when they are not around. They are constantly in your thoughts. Anger is always brewing in your heart and you can't move forward with your own life.

The natural heart of man is evil. It is cold and callous toward others. It is that same heart that caused someone to harm you in the first place. I've found the cure for a hard heart in forgiveness. I have been forgiven by others, some I've hurt intentionally others I've hurt without knowing. The simple fact that others are willing to look past my weaknesses compels me to look past theirs.

Many times there was never intent to hurt you in the first place. Misunderstandings happen.