Bitter or Better

Joseph and His Brethren Welcomed by Pharaoh, watercolor by James Tissot (c. 1900)
Wikipedia picture

You know why I love the story of Joseph, in the Bible?  It's because of Joseph's attitude.  The bad doesn't get him down.  Well, he's human, so when bad things happened to him, he must have been thrown for a loop--but not for long.

The story begins with Joseph's brothers throwing him in a deep pit.  They were going to leave him there to die, but they took advantage of a passing caravan and sold Joseph to them, as a slave.  And you know what that means when you're a young teenager!  While working as a slave, a woman lies about Joseph and gets him thrown in jail.  (Take heart my "cloistered brothers," Joseph was blessed by God while incarcerated.)    God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams.  He was so good at it that the King heard of it.  Joseph interpreted the King's dream.  He was released from jail.  Eventually, he was given a high responsible job. It was because of this job that he was able to help his brothers.  (Yes, those mean, cruel, dastardly brothers!)  Joseph saves his family and tribe.
But my point is Joseph's attitude.  Twice Joseph was victimized.  But he didn't keep him a victim.  His attitude didn't allow him to be a victim.  He looked ahead.  He stayed positive.  He always tried to make the best of bad situations.

Remember Joseph when the bad things happen to you.

Don't Play with Fire

MEK drawing

Jorge explained Romans 12:19-21.

                       ...Vengeance is mine; I will repay, says the Lord.  but if they enemy
                       is hungry, give him food; if he is thirsty give him drink; for by so
                      doing thou wilt heap coals of fire upon his head....

Back in the day, way back in the day, even before Jesus' time, the nomads carried their fire with them.  Fire was that important.  Fire was too hard to start over, every time one wanted to leave or have light at night.  Hence when it was time to move on, the coals from the fire would be put in a heatproof container to carry.  Where was the container itself, carried?

     On the top of their turban (or whatever their head covering was called).

  Actually, the verse is telling us to be kind to our enemy.  Kill your enemy with kindness.  Think of the coals of fire as giving shame to your enemy.  The purpose of the Christian is to bring his enemy to repentance and better conduct.

Besides, the verse tells us that "vengeance" is God's.  Just be kind to your enemy and don't worry about how to extract justice from him.  That could be dangerous.

Don't play with fire.