252 | Forgiveness | Week 3

As I walked into the locker room, the first thing I noticed was my backpack. It had been opened and emptied all over the floor. Just as I suspected, the notes were missing. Yes, the notes I’d been passed from “that girl” had been stolen, and by now had undoubtedly been read by all of my classmates. My secret eighth grade crush was secret no more!

I knew who had ransacked my knapsack, and I decided right then and there that he would pay. I don’t even remember my crush’s name, but I sure do remember how I felt in that moment:  angry, hurt, and frustrated.

I wanted to make life miserable for my “friend” who had done this to me. And I tried. During basketball practice that night, I was determined to get even: I made him chase after basketballs, called him names, and I may or may not have thrown a few balls at his head during passing drills.

They say revenge is sweet, but all revenge got me was in trouble with the coach.

This story is almost silly now, but back then getting even was all I could think about. It consumed me. It took me days (OK, weeks) to get over what my friend had done to me. Forgiving him and letting it go would have been a much better option.

This week in Discovery Village, we’re revisiting the familiar story of Joseph. When we look at Joseph’s life, we might say that he had every right to seek revenge on his brothers for selling him into slavery, on Potiphar’s wife for falsely accusing him, and on the cupbearer for forgetting about him.

Yet, he never did. Instead he trust God and waited. In turn, God made something beautiful out of Joseph’s life and used his unusual circumstances to rescue his family from the famine that had ravaged their land. Toward the end of the story, Joseph tells his brothers

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

Our bottom line this week: When you want to get even, do the opposite.

Everything inside us may be telling us to seek revenge, but God is telling us to trust Him. Getting even won’t make the situation any better.  And in most cases, revenge may actually make matters worse.

This week, take a moment to think back on your life. When has getting even backfired on you? When has trusting God with an unfair situation turned out for good?

Thank God for not getting even with us and for doing the opposite by offering us His free gift of salvation. Instead of resorting to your default setting of “get even” when you are wronged, ask God to help you trust Him and forgive.

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dscott@churchleaders.com'
Dan Scott serves as the elementary director at Ada Bible Church, which is outside of Grand Rapids, MI. He establishes the vision for programming including curriculum, volunteer care, and environment. Dan enjoys sharing ideas and encouragement from his life and ministry. He has a busy speaking and writing schedule and was recently named one of Children's Ministry Magazines' 20 leaders to watch. Dan and his wife Jenna have four kids: Liam, Ellison, Addison, and Taye.