I once took a taxi ride from the Ninoy Aquino Domestic Airport (Manila, Philippines) to my destination in Antipolo to spend my Christmas break with siblings and family. I was getting unfamiliar with the routes to my destination because it was a long time ago since I last left Manila.
As with the usual modus of some cheating taxi drivers I was taken to a wrong way when we got into Antipolo and, obviously, he was pretending to have a hard time locating my specific destination. We had some stops and me asking passersby about the address until we finally get to the place. The meter reading registered a whopping Php900.00 in total cost! I had no other choice but to pay the amount because I couldn't argue with a skilled Tagalog dialect (I am Cebuano). Besides, the travel did take long. However, being unfamiliar with the roads isn't my fault and shouldn't be any reason to dupe me. I was upset but could do nothing.
Later that day, I wanted to report the driver to authorities with the taxi complaint ticket I was handed at the airport. But then, doing so would have me go back the distance plus the hassles of traffic and cost of travel. The process would take away some of my valuable vacation time and it would have spoiled my stay. Nevertheless, I still wanted revenge.
I figured out the best revenge I could do and that was to pray instead. To be honest with God, I poured my sentiments through prayers, though, in a humble way. I said that, being human it was natural for me to think of revenge but with God knowing I should not take matters into my own hands. Instead, I asked If He could discipline that driver so that he would learn his lesson the hard way and realize how unfair he was. He needed to mend his ways. I added that I was not only praying for myself but also for other people who may also fall victims of his folly. That way, perhaps he could become a better person. I prayed that for a few days and even at random times until I was totally weaned from anger.
I channeled those anger and revenge in a positive and noble way for God to take into His hands. I felt justified with it and felt no regret with my supposed revenge. I was rewarded with a clean conscience knowing that God does things in His loving and divine ways. I was able to move on with a belief that my experience and revenge may spare other poor would-be passengers and perhaps help get one lost sheep back to God.
