You have done everything as good as you possibly can do; then someone lashes out at you. Their actions are either severe criticism or painful actions. This causes your spirit to plummet to the bottom of your emotions. You know that taking revenge is wrong, but the hurt is so severe, that you feel some action on your part is necessary.
Archibald Hart has some sound advice on forgiveness: “Forgiveness is relinquishing my rights to hurt back.” When you are severely hurt either by words or actions of others, you should hold back the temptation to retaliate. Forgiveness is the best action to take, so that the painful actions do not consume you.
Jesus is the example you are to follow. All the religious leaders in His day viciously attacked Him everywhere He went. God incarnate was rejected by the very people who should have accepted Him. After all the emotional pain He endured, after the physical pain He endured right before the cross, and after all the pain and agony of being crucified, His final words on earth are asking the Father in heaven to forgive them.
Forgiving people who offend you is never easy. In fact, it is humanly impossible. That is why the Holy Spirit was given to believers. The Spirit is your Comforter; thus, He will comfort you during those dark days of hurtful words or actions.
Scripture commands the believer to forgive in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.” Be forgiving of the offenses of others, because your Savior has forgiven you.
When you are offended by others, and you will be offended, respond with forgiveness instead of revenge.
