A Better Way

Esau determined in his heart, “The days of mourning for my father are approaching; then I will kill my brother Jacob.” —Genesis 27:41

One way of responding to life’s hurts is to become a debt collector. We set out to make the offender pay for what he has done. Instead of letting God be the one who’s big and strong enough to handle the problem in His perfect, just, and redemptive way, we grab hold of the hurt and refuse to let it go. We hold our offender hostage (we think).

Think of Esau and Jacob. A birthright deceptively stolen. The lifelong expectation of prosperity finally within Esau’s grasp, but now—by a trick, a conspiracy worked up by a mother playing favorites—Esau’s rightful pathway to a father’s blessing is wildly derailed at the last minute. Esau stored up intent on getting his revenge.

Being a “debt collector” does more than keep our offender in debtors’ prison; it puts us in prison. Invariably it produces the bitter fruit of deeper pain, resentment, and bondage.

But there is another way. A better way. God’s way.

 

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Choosing Forgiveness: Your Journey to Freedom ©2022 Revived Hearts Foundation

Scripture taken from The CSB