When the Hurt Lingers

Paul writes this because he knows the temptation is real. The temptation to pay it back. To get even. To not let it go. And that's human — there's no judgment in that.

But he says: no. Follow what is good, always. Even when it hurts. Even when the other person doesn't deserve it. Even when no one is watching.

Returning evil for evil doesn't ease the pain. It seems like it will, but it doesn't. It creates more pain — for you, for the other person, for everyone around you.

"Ever follow that which is good" isn't naivety. It's a conscious choice not to let the wrong done to you determine how you act from here on. It's refusing to let someone else's behavior define your character.

When the hurt lingers — and it does linger for a while, and that's real — you can still choose not to act out of it. You can feel the pain and still not return the wrong.

That is strength. That is grace. That is God at work in you.