Romans 12:17-18 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody.

I read this verse and immediately into my head jumps the phrase “Don’t get hurt, get even.” That’s how I used to think. If you hurt me I would hurt you back, but worse. If you took something from me I would take away something from you, but more precious. It wasn’t a healthy way to live and it meant through recovery I had a lot of work to do on me.

The verse 18 says “ If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody..” In other words, don’t hold grudges and take action that is going to repair relationships.

I have heard a lot of people over the years say to me “I talked to God about it, that’s enough.” It’s not! None of us were designed to live alone with God. He designed us for relationship/ To not only get along with others but to help others become all that He created them to be. 

• Who would you rather hold a grudge against than repair the relationship with?

Prayer: Lord help me today to recognize the people in my life I am holding resentments against and do whatever I can to repair our relationship.