Proverbs 24:29
Do not say to yourself, I will do to him as he has done to me:
We all know what it feels like to have been wronged in one way or another. It could be a simple snide remark, a rude comment, a lie spoken behind our back, or something even more malicious, like physical harm or personal loss. Of course, the first natural reaction, is anger. Furthermore, it is important to note that this emotion in itself is not wrong. Heck, even God gets angry. However, we must not allow our feelings to corrupt us, because they certainly can. It is ok to get angry, but it is not ok to become an angry person. If we are not careful, our reactions to the way that we are treated can keep us in a constant state of discontent, unhappiness, and bitterness; consequently, contaminating not only our lives, but those closest to us as well.
So what must we do? Primarily, we must let it go! Get rid of it! I remember this childhood game that we used to play called “hot potato”. The key was that when the “hot potato” was passed to you, you were to get rid of it as quickly as possible, before the buzzer went off. This is the proper way to handle the potentially harmful emotions that we encounter. Get rid of them as quickly as possible. Don’t allow yourself to get caught with them stuck in your heart.
Secondly, please stop talking about it. Notice how the writer says, “Don’t talk to yourself about it.” I have found that people, who allow these bitter roots to grow inside them, are the same people who cannot stop talking about them. They obviously rehearse these events over and over again in their minds, thinking that by doing so, they are condemning their enemy, and somehow justifying themselves in their own actions. However, the opposite is true. Our words are very powerful elements! The more we talk about something, the more life we give it.
Lastly, carry your grievances to the proper authorities. Remember when you were a kid in school and a peer would poke you in class, and you poked back right at the very moment when the teacher just happened to be looking your way. We end up carrying the blame for something we didn’t even start. So, what should we do? We should notify our authority. I know that sounds like a cop out, but it isn’t. There are authorities every where in life; at work, at home, in church, and within society as a whole. This is the exact reason why God put them there. Authority is where the “hot potato” stops!
And never forget this...God is the greatest authority! He is the greatest protector of justice! So with this in mind...pass all your “hot potatoes” to him! He has the best hands to handle it!