How easy is it to take matters into our own hands when our temper is aroused...? Well, it is for me. God knows I have done it MANY times, demanding justice one way or another when something has rubbed me the wrong way.
When something offends us, anger awakens and instantly desires a sacrifice of some sort - usually the sacrifice of the one who brought the offense. Anger longs to be appeased, but that usually doesn't take place until we feel justice has been done. Anger yearns for revenge. It desires someone to pay for what has upset us.
{ Ya know, if it wasn't for Jesus I'd still think God was out for revenge, but...that's another 'story'.. :) }
God once placed on my heart, "When you are angry, you are thinking wrong..." Reaction is one thing, action another. At the time God said this to me, I was feeding my anger with thoughts that did not reflect love in any way. I so wasn't in the mood to love my enemy, nor pray for them!!
At another time, God placed on my heart, "Donna, everyone is allowed to react however they want, but you bring your every emotion to Me." He did not want me judging the actions and reactions of others, neither did He want me taking matters into my own hands, because He knew I was capable of causing more harm than good when my flesh was/is irritated.
I tried to do it God's way for awhile, but soon found myself heavily whining, "Go-o-o-o-o-dddd!!!! It's NOT working-ing-ing-ing....!" to which He calmly replied [in Spirit, to my heart,] "Bring your every emotion to Me BEFORE you claim it as your own." This worked a great deal better. However, there have been times, and there still are, when anger reacts so darn quickly that I am not swift enough to hand my emotions over to God and say, "Here! You take care of it."
There are times I still let go of Love and fail to seek the advice of Wisdom. I seek to be in control, no longer trusting God for the outcome; wanting revenge; wanting justice; wanting whatever it is I want! And pretty soon I am causing offense to someone else. This is NOT what God desires me to do; NOT how Love would have me treat others.
The top two commandments are LOVE God, and LOVE your neighbour... then Jesus came along and said, "A new commandment I give you, LOVE one another as I have loved you." He didn't seek revenge on His enemies as they persecuted, beat and crucified Him. He didn't seek His welfare above those He eventually died for; whose sins He suffered for... (You and I are on that list, by the way...) Love doesn't seek revenge. It upholds truth, but it does not damn. In fact, Jesus taught us that Love embraces not only those who please us, but even those who come against us, with mercy and grace - as has been freely given to you and I...
This is worth meditating about as we sit upon our beds and seek the Way, the Truth and the Life that Jesus has led us to; The Way, the Truth and the Life that not only leads us to freedom, but enables us to live in peace and truly trust God as we claim to...