Why Revenge?

There are so many people hurting in this world, and, at times, we are in their number.  Sometimes we are bitterly hurt, hurt so badly we are knocked off balance.  Most of the time, we want to fight back!  But do we?  Do we fight to protect ourselves and those we love or, do we fight on to hurt the person even more than we are hurt?  The second kind of fighting is called, "revenge."

It is common for newly divorced couples to battle, to want to hurt the other person who has so wronged them.  A good friend of mine, Jolinda, Joey, for short, is going through this same situation right now.  Her husband, Bradley, remarried within weeks of their divorce.  He had no intention of paying his share for his children's support.  He used all the children to try to hurt his ex-wife.

Bradley really had been a horrible father, hardly ever going to any of the children's activities, never spending time with them. But at the same time, he had such a horrible temper, the whole family avoided him.  Funny how Bradley and the new wife have bought a new house, new car, and Bradley doesn't want to pay his court-mandated share of his children's care!

Bradley had insisted on having a provision written in the divorce settlement stating that if either one of them disagreed with the arrangement, they would have to pay the lawyers and court fees.  Bradley is regretting that!  Since he is arrears with his payments for child support, in addition to paying what is owed, now Bradley has lawyer and court fees!

Yet what else can Joey do but drag him back to court and attempt to get what she needs to take care of the children?  At first, even though he wanted nothing to do with his first family, Bradley would pick them up, take them to his apartment, and leave them there while he worked.  That's a 'no-no!'  You can't leave children unattended!

Joey says, "My bank balance is way in the negative now."

One time, on Bradley's 'weekend' with the children, one of them got sick.  The little fella asked Bradley to take him to the doctor.  Bradley said, "No, I don't think you're sick.  You're just faking it."  The little fella texted Joey, "Mama, I feel so bad." She immediately came and got him and took him to the doctor.  The child had a fever and chest congestion.

Now Bradley doesn't pick up the kids much more on his 'weekends.'  The end result is that he will have to pay more child support!  Bradley whines to Joey, "Me and (new wife) just bought a house and car.  We can't afford to pay you." Looks like Bradley will have to be working overtime now.

Joey sadly reports that this doesn't make her mad, that he killed her love for him many years ago.  She says, "My lawyer said I should have tried to get half of his pension, that I was due that. I don't want to touch that.  He just needs to pay for the children now, as they're growing up, and half the house payments so we have a place to live."

What does the Bible say about "revenge?"  "Vengeance is mine, said the Lord."   Think about that: if God requires justice for all wrong-doing, that would be quite enough for the evil-doer to handle!"  I agree with Joey: just take what you need for the children and don't try to hurt him back!  Let the Lord in Heaven take care of him!  Justice will be done!

Dear Lord, let us delve into Your Book, the Bible, and learn Your Wisdom!  We cannot do this enough!  Your Book is the Book of Love, teaching us how to love each other.