One of the key points from a recent Psychology Today article about revenge says, “Revengeful thoughts and behavior are a temporary distraction from underlying suffering.” Ironically, it seems that many of us want to exact revenge because we believe it will make things right, or it will make us feel better about what we’ve lost. When we experience loss at the hands of others, we may assume that our anger is about injustice, but that is just the label. The true issue is internal pain that we have limited solutions for.
Revengeful thoughts and behavior are a temporary distraction from underlying suffering.”
Phychology Today, November 25, 2023
In Joseph’s case, his brothers were deserving of all the wrath he could have dealt. They had to be convinced to sell him into slavery as a substitute for murder (Gen. 37:18-28). But instead of dealing out punishment, he pulled them closer. Once he revealed his identity and told them of his plans to care for them and Jacob, he “. . . kissed each of his brothers as he wept . . .” (Gen. 45:15). He focused on his brothers and thought of his father, fixing the internal rejection he experienced prior to being sold (Gen. 37:4-11). Joseph was betrayed, imprisoned, and elevated to prominence but he never sought revenge. Why?
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