What to Do When You Don't Know What to Doಮಾದರಿ

Most of us would probably say that when someone hurts us, our first thought isn’t forgiveness. Our initial reaction to being wronged is usually payback. We want things to be fair, and the only thing that feels fair in that moment is to pay back wrong with wrong. 

In this verse, Peter—someone who would have known firsthand what it felt like to be treated poorly because of his faith in Jesus—tells us not to pay back the hurts and wrongs done to us with more wrongs, but with blessing. And honestly, that’s no easy thing to do. But we can trust that when we choose blessing—when we offer forgiveness, pray for those who hurt us, and choose not to hold on to a grudge—it actually helps us. We get the benefit of letting old hurts go because we can move forward in freedom and not anger or resentment. The next time someone wrongs you, take the time to pray for them. Ask God to bless them and help you take a step away from payback and toward peace.