Plotting Revenge?

Hurt, anger, and thoughts of revenge became his constant companions. The terrible circumstances that led to a stinging, irreversible situation crushed his spirit. How could such injustice happen? He thought his companions were friends. Now, he saw only enemies.

The Count of Monte Cristo These emotions were experienced by the protagonist in Alexander Dumas’ novel The Count of Monte Cristo. Recently, my husband and I watched an eight-episode PBS series based on the book. Edmund Dantes, a young, hardworking, well-liked Marseilles sailor, receives a promotion to captain; even better, he is engaged to marry beautiful Mercedes. However, his bright future is lost when Edmond is unjustly accused of treason and imprisoned on the eve of his wedding. When he meets fellow inmate, Abbé Faria, his dismal fate changes. Faria teaches Edmond about cultural refinement and reveals the location of a hidden treasure.

After 15 years of imprisonment,

Edmond escapes, taking on a new identity as the mysterious, educated, immensely wealthy Count of Monte Cristo. In Paris, the Count executes his dreadful revenge on the enemies who

wronged him. After the fulfillment of his schemes, in the closing scene, he meets Mercedes to exchange a last goodbye. She reminds him that forgiveness is much better than revenge, as she says, “If you’re planning on revenge, dig your own grave first.”

Closer to God or Deeper into Bitterness?                                             Often, like the Count, when enduring unjust circumstances, we sink into the quagmire of bitterness, anger, and a desire for revenge. The situations that drove us to this wilderness demand our attention. Our minds run in destructive circles that lead nowhere; when, instead, we could be concentrating on the sovereign Lord who rules everything and even works all situations together for our good! In such circumstances, it’s important not to nurture our wounds but instead allow the Lord’s healing balm of forgiveness and mercy to mend our aching souls. We can and must seek release from this prison of resentment.

Forgiveness is rarely easy. Sometimes our emotions, pain, and wounded hearts make it difficult to respond in the way Christ calls us. Even when we know what Jesus teaches about forgiveness, such as “love your enemies” or “do good to those who despitefully use you,”[1] we can still wrestle with anger, hurt, and resistance. Yet His example continually points us toward mercy, healing, and freedom.

Minister Frederick Buechner wrote about the power of God’s love as a model:

The love for equals is a human thing—of friend for

friend, brother for brother. It is to love what is loving

and lovely. The world smiles. The love for those less

fortunate is a beautiful thing—the love for those who

suffer, for those who are poor, the sick, the failures, the

unlovely. This is compassion, and it touches the heart

of the world. The love for the more fortunate is a rare

          thing—to love those who succeed where we fail, to

rejoice without envy with those who rejoice, the love of

the poor for the rich, of the black man for the white man.

The world is always bewildered by its saints. And then

there is love for the enemy—love for the one who does

not love you but mocks, threatens, and inflicts pain. The

tortured’s love for the torturer. This is God’s love. It

conquers the world. [2]

When we focus only on the hurt that others cause us, we can become trapped in cycles of anger and bitterness. However, God invites us to release resentment and trust Him with our pain. Healing begins when we stop feeding our wounds and allow His mercy, grace, and forgiveness to restore our souls. Forgiveness is an act of God’s love. When we forgive those who have harmed us, we extend God’s love to them—a love that he has and always will pour out on us.

Choosing forgiveness doesn’t excuse the pain—it frees us from being imprisoned by it. It doesn’t make us weaker—it lifts us to a higher plane that supplies the strength we need.

In my book, The Private Side of Leadership, Chapter 12 called “Impossible Forgiveness” further explores the forgiveness that seems impossible, but that God makes possible. It overcomes the pain of attacks, rejection, and loss while we trust in God and his promises. As you appropriate his divine resources, he will help you forgive: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27).                    

[1] Matthew 5:44, KJV.

[2] “Love.”  Frederick Buechner.  Quoted from The Magnificent Defeat.  www.frederickbuechner.com. 15 November 2018