Hey, gotta, gotta payback! (the big payback)
Revenge!
I’m mad (the big payback)
Got to get back!
Need some get back!
Pay Back! (the big payback)
That’s it!
Payback!
Revenge!
I’m mad!— James Brown
The problem with revenge is that it’s so time consuming and disruptive to our well-being and peace of mind. Plotting and planning to achieve some type of “payback” for the wrongs we have suffered, be they literal or perceived, is a type of bondage. It is all consuming. It consumes our time, our energy and our efforts. It creates perpetual negativity in our lives and takes over our minds with thoughts of destruction that significantly impacts our physical, mental and spiritual well-being. Whether or not we want to admit it, time is a finite commodity and none of us knows exactly how much time we have on this earth to accomplish the things that we want to accomplish or the things that we are supposed to accomplish by divine assignment or by the recognition of our purpose. Two of the most profound moments in life are the day that you are born and the day you find out why. Why were you born? Why are you here? What are you supposed to be doing with your life? What contributions are you supposed to be making during your allotted time on this earth?
When we don’t address these fundamental questions for ourselves, we can be easily distracted and dissuaded. We can begin to lose sight of our life’s goals and purpose. Soon our life and our time are co-opted or devoured by other people’s interests. Ultimately, we no longer acknowledge that purpose we once pursued but instead our own goals are derailed by someone else’s agenda. We are susceptible to abuse and corruption by the plans, promotions and schemes that are constructed by others for their own purpose and conclusion. Whether or not those schemes and plans are well intentioned is not the point. No. What must be acknowledged is that we have willingly given over the reins of our life, our own aspirations, goals and purpose to another in the hope that they will take us with them wherever it is they are going. But what if where they are going and what they are doing is in direct opposition to where you are supposed to be going and what you are supposed to be doing? One day, a little further down the road, you might wake up and realize that you are lost, and you have no idea where you are or what you’re doing with your life. This is a moment when many people begin to grow resentful and disillusioned with the life they are living and begin to blame others. That resentment grows into bitterness and the bitterness grows into anger and the anger grows into the lust for revenge. Somebody has to pay! Now that you realize how much time you’ve actually wasted being caught up, distracted or dissuaded from pursuit of your purpose.…you are mad! There’s a lot 
of madness going around in America right now!
There is a scripture that says, “You reap what you sow.” In other words, you will get back in return what you give out. Life is too short to waste time on seeking revenge. It will only bring you more disappointment, grief and despair. Revenge is TIME consuming and none of us have ANY time to waste. The year 2020 has demonstrated that to all of us on a global scale. Instead of looking for The Big Pay Back or taking pleasure in someone else’s destruction…how about sowing seeds of restoration, generosity and gratitude. How about using your life by finding out what you are supposed to be doing with it?
