The scene is a town in the untamed west in the days of gunslingers and horse thieves. One day an old dog happened into town. He was met by a cowboy out on a Saturday night hoping to find some trouble. When He saw the dog, he taunted him saying, “We don’t allow no mangy mutts on these here streets.”

The cowboy shot the dog in the foot. The poor dog drew up his bloody paw and hobbled out of town whimpering.

It’s a week later. The scene is the same western town. It’s high noon. A dog enters the street. He is dressed in black clothes, wearing a black hat and has pearl-handled pistols at his side. There is a white bandage around his foot. A crowd gathers. He takes the stance of a gunfighter and says, “I’m looking for the man that shot my paw.”

There are times in our lives when we may be treated unfairly. Someone may unwittingly hurt our feelings, or may knowingly take advantage of us. The natural response when these things happen is the desire to get even. We need to remember, Jesus taught that we should treat others in the same manner that we want to be treated. We should trust God to protect us and keep us in any situation. When our reaction is to repay someone with evil, we not only sign against them, but sin against God also.

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.