Getting Even

Thought for the day

The following is reported to be a true story (from Australian Aviation magazine):

After a particularly lousy landing by the co-pilot of an Australian commercial airline, that co-pilot heard the Captain say into his microphone, "Ladies and gentlemen, XXX airlines wishes to apologize for that rough landing provided today by our first officer".

Some months later the same crew were together and, you guessed it, the Captain had an even worse landing. The First Officer immediately jumped on the intercom announcing, "Ladies and gentlemen, XXX airlines wishes to apologize for that rough landing provided today by our Captain".

The Captain immediately responded angrily, "What did you say that for?"

The First Officer replied, "Remember a couple of months back? I owed it to you!"

"But I never keyed the mike!" responded the Captain.

How many times have we tried to "get even" with someone only to suffer embarrassment or hurt as a result? We think that paying someone back will make us feel better, but it doesn't, even when we truly have been done wrong.

Solomon gave this wise piece of advice: "Do not say, 'I'll do to him as he has done to me; I'll pay that man back for what he did.'" (Proverbs 24:29, NIV)

Suffering wrong without retaliation is one of the toughest things Jesus asks us to do, but it's the right thing.

"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

Verses

Galatians 6:9

Let us not grow tired of doing good, for, unless we throw in our hand, the ultimate harvest is assured.

Matthew 19:2

And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there.

Matthew 21:22

and everything that you ask for in your prayers you shall have, if you believe."

2 Corinthians 9:11

God will make you rich in every way so that you can always give freely. And your giving through us will cause many to give thanks to God.

Prayer

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from You. As recipients of Your tender compassions and tremendous comfort help us to be like cisterns pouring out the mercies we receive from You into the lives of those who desperately need it. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.