VENGEANCE is conclusively expensive. The cost of retribution most times is costlier than the reason for the retaliation.

What Is Revenge?
It is defined as, “the action of inflicting hurt or harm on someone for an injury or wrong suffered at their hands; the desire to inflict retribution. Revenge and reward stems from the same hormone; but instead of delivering justice, revenge often creates only a cycle of retaliation.

According to Francis Bacon: “A man that studieth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would heal.” As inviting as revenge can be; it only re-opens and aggravates emotional wounds. This is so because attempting to return a wrong, one may end up punishing oneself to the extent that the emotional injury done to them may likely not heal.

I guess the question going through your brave mind is ‘but what are you expected to do if you were wronged and how can you deal with the intense emotional feelings of retaliating the wrong done to you? Or how do you handle the ranging intense need for revenge? When people wrong you intentionally without remorse they ordinarily want to weaken and defraud you. If you are not wise you make mistake and further lose time, and resources.

Frank Sinatra said: “The best revenge is massive success.” Therefore, the best way to payback is never give up goodness, be better not bitter, learn from the hurt and improve in wisdom; this takes a lot of discipline to achieve.”

Reading through Genesis 50:14-21, we see the story of Joseph and his brothers; the evil they planned against him was retaliated by outstanding success. To Joseph; God was involved, he believed God used the evil done to him to work out an ultimate good and Paul said in Romans 8:28: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God; to those who are called according to His purpose.”
Four Things You Need To Know About Revenge

• God reserves the sole authority for revenge:
The Bible consistently states in Romans 12:19 (New King James Version): “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘vengeance is mine, I will repay,‘ says the Lord.” Also Deuteronomy 32:35, says: “Vengeance is mine, and recompense; their foot shall slip in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things to come hasten upon them.” God is declared as the ultimate judge and avenger. Vengeance is God’s alone.
• The Venerable Stephen Wolemonwu is Rector, The Ibru International Ecumenical Centre, Agbarha-Otor,Delta State (08035413812)