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Presented by Lisa Bishop
Have you ever felt wronged by someone at work? Maybe you are in the midst of a challenging situation right now. A coworker taking credit for something you poured your heart and soul into and now they are getting the kudos instead of you. Maybe you’ve been poorly treated, pushed aside for a promotion, or flat-out lied about. How do you react when your circumstances seem unfair?
Several years ago, I worked for an organization that was riddled with gossip and a few toxic personalities that made a huge impact on the culture. At one point I found myself being the target of gossip, and needless to say, I was sad, disappointed, and mad. Instead of responding in anger, I brought it to the Lord and asked him for wisdom. I prayed for insight and trusted he would guide me on how to respond and ultimately, he would make things right.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
It can be tempting to launch a counterattack when you feel mistreated or maligned, but as followers of Jesus, in the midst of trying times, we are called to a higher way of being. You and I are called to wait; don’t retaliate.
Now does this mean we should never speak up when we are mistreated? No. There are times when we need to address issues with grace, tact, and humility. The point is, it can be so enticing to fight back and let our emotions flare up, to dream up ways to get even. But when you are treated wrongly, keep in mind the world around you is watching. Through your self-restraint, fueled by faith that God sees and works on your behalf, the glory of God will be put on display and show people a better way.
The next time you find yourself wanting to react in the heat of the moment, take a deep breath and ground yourself in the Lord. Develop the habit of responding rightly when you are wronged. Wait, don’t retaliate.