When we choose to fight fire with fire, we both end up burnt. The depth of the burn varies, but what’s always left behind is a scar—something that doesn’t fade away. Most of the time, these scars stay unnoticed in the background. But every once in a while, they resurface—when we notice them ourselves, when someone else points them out, or when a memory brings them back. In that moment, we’re transported right back to the conflict, to the burn we thought we’d left behind.
These kinds of scars aren’t worth it. They’re the result of a choice to “get even” or “give a taste of their own medicine”—a choice to let anger fuel more anger. Every scar tells a story, but when you fight fire with fire, you may never know how deep the scar will go or what it might cost. Instead, consider letting peace, patience, or simply walking away be your response. Some battles aren’t worth the burns they leave behind.
The Wild Gems 