Think of a time when you were betrayed and how you felt.
Some of the emotions that go along with betrayal: anger, fear, loss, resentment, isolation, bitterness, pain, distrust. These emotions became all too real through a recent situation where I was betrayed and it hurt deeply.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (1 Peter 3:15)
After wasting time on self-pity, I focused on the one who will never betray me; my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Because of my faith I was able to quickly see the reasons behind the betrayal: We live in a broken world and there is an enemy who wants to distract us from our relationship with God.
Satan is a deceiver and in this betrayal someone made a slight adjustment to the truth to convey a message of negativity at my expense.
As a result of my own faith:
- It was easier (not easy, easier) to forgive those who hurt me. The pain lessened with the realization that mankind is not the enemy. The enemy wants me to hate and seek revenge thus resulting in further turmoil, perpetuating the sin.
- There was peace in my heart! When I turned from anger I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit showing me the way. I saw the situation almost from afar; it was a trap, narrowly averted.
- Joy returned quickly. One of the most important phrases spoken to me in the last 20 years: “We are responsible for our own feelings.” Choosing anger and bitterness blocks the potential for joy in our lives. Trusting in Jesus and not ourselves enables us to experience that joy that we were meant to have.
Today’s reading: 2 Samuel 15, 17-18
Today we read about King David’s son Absalom who betrayed his father. The end result was a grueling death for Absalom and deep despair and grief for his father. Absalom conspired against King David to take the throne and worse, he sets out to have his own father killed.
What struck me in this story was David’s love and forgiveness which is beyond human understanding:
And the king ordered Joab and Abishai and Ittai, “Deal gently for my sake with the young man Absalom.” And all the people heard when the king gave orders to all the commanders about Absalom. (2 Samuel 18:5)
These chapters were assigned to me long before the recent betrayal in my life, but yet the timing was miraculous. Reading God’s word through my own situation provided a blueprint as to how to respond in a Godly manner. God’s word is alive and he continues to be faithful. Pick up those Bibles my friends, your creator wants to speak to you today!