Culture of Revenge
We live in a culture that glorifies pettiness. It puts revenge on a pedestal and creates a false narrative surrounding the outcome of certain choices. We have turned people’s pain and experiences into entertainment and have made vengeance a show to cater to our sometimes real, sometimes not, audience.
Social media has fed this concept of freedom from sharing all the ways someone has wronged you. It has become an outlet for hurting people. It feeds bitterness and contempt.
The emotions you feel when you have been wronged are real. It does not mean that is what you should choose to act on. When you pursue vengeance it will only leave you craving more. Your wounds won’t close, and your pain will still be there.
You won’t find peace in finding revenge.
I say this as someone who still feels the pain some days. There are times where the rage at what they did to you will still feel greater than you want to bear. But it comes less frequently. And it starts to feel more manageable.
You also have the choice whether or not you are going to heal. Personal accountability doesn’t feel good, but like it or not healing is a choice. It takes incredible strength, bravery, and humility to heal. Healing requires you to let go of the way you have been wronged - not out of a place of it not mattering, but out of a place of understanding that one day they will stand accountable for what they did. Healing requires you to choose what you are feeding in yourself daily.
When you choose to feed the hurt you give more power to the trauma you experienced. Bitterness is an addiction. It feels so good in the moment but it will always leave you empty and desiring more.
You don’t need to heal in silence, but there is value in using discernment with when and where to speak. If you aren’t at peace with your own story, sharing it will leave you open to further wounds. If you are seeking to feel seen, a public audience is not going to leave you feeling known - what you are longing for is the support of community. I passionately believe that God loves when we use our testimonies to glorify Him, but there isn’t a rush for you to share it. Spend the intentional time healing first, and then open up pieces at a time.
Culture won’t give you credit for your wisdom. It won’t celebrate your discernment. But it also won’t care the repercussions that come from your choices. It won’t care the pain that stays. It won’t care the hurt that gets added.
Culture will exploit your pain as entertainment.
Christ will meet you in your pain & bring healing you couldn’t imagine.
You don’t have to stay trapped in your pain.
