There are two very profound and challenging instructions in the Bible.
One is the call to love our enemies and the other is the charge to refrain from seeking personal vengeance.
In moments of deep hurt, these injunctions can be perplexing; and may even feel unfair. After all, when we are wronged, our natural response is usually to demand visible justice. Yet, the word of God consistently reminds us to trust Him as the righteous judge who will avenge us in His perfect way and time.
The call to trust God’s justice isn’t just an abstract concept; it is deeply practical and personal, shaping how we handle the pain of betrayal, the sting of offence, and the wounds of hurt.
I have wrestled with this truth myself, especially when I see people who have caused me great pain moving on with their lives, seemingly unaffected by the harm they’ve caused.
In such moments, it can feel as though justice is delayed, or perhaps even denied. You could be wondering, “Why isn’t God acting now? Why does the person who hurt me seem to be flourishing?” These questions can challenge your faith, test your resolve along your spiritual journey and weaken your devotion to the Lord.
Over time however, I have learnt that God may not give you all the answers you want, He is however willing to help you pull through the phase.
Practical Tips to Deal With Hurt and Rest in God’s Justice
Drawing from my personal experience, I have highlighted below, a few practical tips to manage hurt and offences while resting and trusting in God’s justice.
#1. Meditate on Scripture and Find Comfort in Them
If you’re struggling with the weight of offence or the seeming unfairness of life, I encourage you to turn to the word of God. Meditate on His promises and remind yourself of His faithfulness. Know that His justice may not always be immediate or visible, but it is always right and always on time.
Spend time reading and reflecting on bible verses that affirm God’s justice. Let the truth you find in the scripture saturate your heart and mind; and find rest in them.
For me, resting in the word means reminding myself daily that God is just. It’s a discipline of choosing faith over feelings, even when the flesh screams otherwise. This rest doesn’t come from ignoring the pain or pretending the offence didn’t happen; it comes from surrendering the situation to the One who sees all, knows all, and judges righteously.
Scriptures like Psalm 37:7 (GNT) have been particularly helpful: “Be patient and wait for the Lord to act; don’t be worried about those who prosper or those who succeed in their evil plans.” This verse encourages me to find peace, knowing that God’s justice will prevail in the end.
Furthermore, the more we immerse ourselves in scripture, the more we are transformed by it. Before we know it, the word of God does not just remain something we read; it becomes something we live by. Sooner or later, attributes like meekness, patience and longsuffering becomes easier realities in our lives, helping us to overcome hurt and offences.
#2. Pray Honestly and Earnestly
If you’re struggling to let go of offence and trust God’s justice, bring your pain, frustration, and doubts to God in prayer. He understands your struggles and is ready to comfort you.
Take a cue from David who always poured out his heart to God about how he felt being surrounded by enemies, the pain and agony he experienced and how desperately he needed God to help him.
A chunk of the Psalms reveal this. He prayed a lot, always sincere and down-to-earth. And you know what? He always received strength and succour from the Lord.
See what the bible says in Philippians 4:6-7 (AMP):
“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].”
If you make it a culture to always pray honestly and earnestly about issues that cause(d) you pain, you will always find the peace and solace of the Lord.
#3. Release the Burden
The journey of trusting God’s justice isn’t always easy. As human beings, we are made of flesh and blood, and the pain of betrayal or offence can weigh heavily on us.
When you notice that, make it a duty to intentionally surrender the situation to God, trusting Him to handle it in His perfect way.
Hear what the Scriptures say:
Cast your burden on the LORD, And He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. (Psalm 55:22 NKJV)
Turn all your anxiety over to God because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 God’s Word).
You’ve got to literally hand over the weight of the matter to the Lord. You don’t have to bear it because it could crush you. Release the burden to the Lord and let your soul be revived.
#4. Surround Yourself with Encouragers
The Bible says, “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17 KJV)
You see, it’s important to stay connected to a community of believers who can remind you of God’s promises and support you in your journey.
It is such Kingdom friends that can brighten your countenance which has been made dull by hurt and offences.
#5. Choose Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the most profound spiritual virtue required for dealing with hurt and offences.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean excusing the wrong, rather it speaks about not letting the wrong have a hold on you. It frees you from the weight of bitterness and opens the door for healing.
Jesus, our ultimate role model prayed the Father to forgive his murderers: He said, ‘Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.‘ (Luke 23:34 KJV)
In Acts 7:60 (KJV), Stephen “cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
In both instances, they wouldn’t be praying the Father to forgive their malefactors, if they hadn’t first of all, forgiven them.
Forgiveness is part of God’s nature, that’s why He could forgive and still forgives us. If we have inherited this nature through Christ, then we also need to exude forgiveness, so that all bitterness and malice from hurt and offences will be dissipated.
Read more about this here.
#6. Trust in the Supremacy of God
Whenever the flesh tempts me to take matters into my own hands or doubt God’s justice, I remind myself of this unchanging truth: God cannot lie. He honors His word even more than His name (Psalm 138:2).
As humans, we often place a high premium on God’s name, declaring His greatness and proclaiming His power. We sing about His sovereignty, speak of His omnipotence, and testify of His miracles. Yet, the same God tells us that His word is exalted above His name. This means that every promise in Scripture about who God is and what He will do is utterly reliable.
If God says He will avenge, then He will avenge. He knows what to do, and He will do it rightly because He is a righteous judge. Even when justice appears delayed, I take comfort in knowing that God’s timing is perfect, and His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
This understanding doesn’t negate the emotional challenges of waiting for justice. It’s natural to feel frustrated or disappointed when we don’t see immediate consequences for those who have wronged us. But as we grow in faith, we learn to lean on God’s promises and rest in His character.
#7. Find Healing and Help Others Find Theirs too
In times of hurt and pain, it is appropriate to find healing and thereafter also help others find healing as the opportunity presents itself.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learnt, is that healing comes from continual engagement with the Word of God. It’s a process of anchoring our thoughts, emotions, and decisions in the truth of Scripture.
As we do this, God transforms our hearts and gives us peace, even in the midst of unresolved situations.
So, over time I have learnt to find healing by anchoring myself on the Word of God. His promise in Romans 12:19 (TPT) is clear. It says, ‘Beloved, don’t be obsessed with taking revenge, but leave that to God’s righteous justice. For the Scriptures say: “Vengeance is mine, and I will repay,” says the Lord.‘
This scripture has been a source of strength for me. It reminds me that vengeance is not mine to bother about; and I am not even equipped to execute it. Only God, in His infinite wisdom and righteousness, can bring true justice.
As a faith-based counsellor, in my conversations with people who have been hurt or feel wronged, I often share this truth: whatever you see in the scripture about God is true. If God says He will avenge, then you can rest, assured that He will. Our role is to trust Him, even when it doesn’t make sense.
I encourage them to reflect on the fact that God’s justice is not limited by human understanding. When we try to handle things ourselves, we often make a mess of the situation. But when we allow God to take charge, His justice is always perfect.
Scriptures to Ponder Upon
Here are three powerful scriptures to keep in mind when you have to deal with hurt and offences:
Romans 12:19 EASY
My friends, if someone has done bad things to you, do not try to punish them yourselves. Instead, let God be angry and punish them. This is what is written in the Bible: ‘The Lord God says, “When people do something wrong, I am the one who will punish them.I will pay them back.” ’
Psalms 37:7 CEV
Be patient and trust the Lord. Don’t let it bother you when all goes well for those who do sinful things.
Isaiah 55:8-9 MSG
I don’t think the way you think. The way you work isn’t the way I work. God’s Decree. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.
Conclusion
In a world where offences are inevitable and justice often feels out of reach, the word of God offers an anchor for our souls. By choosing to forgive, trusting in His promises and surrendering to His justice, with much prayer; we can experience healing and peace, no matter the circumstance. And, as we share this truth with others, we become vessels of hope and light, pointing them to the One who never fails.
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Oluwaseyi Adeoye is a dedicated kingdom leader and the founder of The Kingdom Girls, an interdenominational ministry focused on raising godly role models among young women. Driven by her passion for the girl child, she firmly believes and proclaims that “Every girl is a light that must shine.” As a gifted intercessor, Oluwaseyi is the convener of While Ladies Pray, an intercessory network focused on praying for sisters-in-waiting. She is also an accountant, human resources professional, certified counsellor and christian apologist, who is dedicated to advancing God’s kingdom in various platforms. She currently resides in Lagos, Nigeria from where she writes about faith, life, and relationships.
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