sweet revenge... really???

I remember one time I was watching a Hit T.V. series, 24 starring Keifer SutherLand as Jack Bauer. It was in all the major billboards and there was much hype about it. People still watch and talk about it even after the conclusive season eight finale…

But one thing I distinctly remember is that towards the end of season one, Terry Bauer, Jack Bauer’s wife, was killed by a rogue agent Nina Myers, however she is apprehended before Jack could have his revenge. At the beginning of season two, she is found to have been even more treacherous than they imagined, and so she is kept under Jack’s custody. Eventually, he finally gets his moment, with a gun in his hand and a surveillance camera to back his story; he pulls the trigger, effectively ending her life.

Man that was a bummer! Nothing happened, no jubilation in his heart or in the hearts of the audience, in fact even the set did not play some victory song, just a vast emptiness as life escapes her. He’d finally done it, got himself in the right place and executed his heart’s desire; but for what?

That goes on to show how vengeance is such a raw deal! You focus on the heart, the pain, you even let the anger act as anesthesia, to numb the pain and grief, swear to kill, maim, murder, torture and all kinds of malignant deeds upon the perpetrator, but no one think beyond that… “THEN WHAT?”

I remember there was this time I was arguing with a particular person, and they said some really hurtful words, and so livid with pain and anger, I shot back some really venomous words. That effectively destroyed our friendship, and did so much more.

As anyone who has ever held a grudge against another quickly finds out, the negative emotions consume you, burning deep inside you and you can’t wait to become the devil on that person. In fact, I remember once some movie character said that the devil will have to get in line to destroy the opponent. It is these negative emotions that create the psychopaths, sociopaths and serial killers.

When God tells us that “Vengeance is mine,” and “Forgive one another,” He does that for us, because He knows the level of pain and suffering that these emotions inflict upon us, turning us into empty shells. He says that because He loves us, and cares about us, and wants us to release that into His hands and He will take care of it, not to exert vengeance, but to bring forth Justice, as He is the right Judge.

If you are out there and you are feeling embittered about something or someone today, choose to forgive, choose to let go of the hurt, and in it allow the negativity to go away.

The Chinese have a saying, “you cannot fill a glass that is already full.” Sounds dumb and obvious, I know, but if my cup is full of dirty water and I want to partake of juice what do I do, I pour out the dirty water, wash it and fill it with sweet juice, #commonsense!!

Same with our hearts, not unless you get rid of all the negativity that is in us, we cannot have the good, such as love, joy, happiness. And even if we have them, they are polluted by the hurt and the malice. Get rid of all this, and you will have life, and life to the fullest.

Solomon wrote in Proverbs, “gird your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” These same words I say to you.

Have an awesome day as you resolve to forgive and let go.