How To Deal With Betrayal | Finding Hope Despite
Have you ever had to deal with betrayal? Every one of us has been betrayed by someone at some point in our lives. It is not easy to deal with the pain caused by it.I know because I went through it. It will send your entire world crashing. It can be a loved one, your friend, a neighbor, your coworker. And it could be anybody you have given your complete trust on. So how should we deal with betrayal?
Deal with Betrayal Through Hope
When I wasn't a Christian yet, I dealt with it through the only best action I know - revenge. Yes, this world applies the "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth" philosophy. But when I became a Christian, it was the opposite. And yet, it was way more difficult to accomplish than taking revenge - forgive.Sooner did I realize that the pain I felt was nothing compared to what Jesus felt when He was betrayed not only by Peter or 3 more persons but by the whole world. If there is 1 person who can speak with utmost conviction how it felt to be betrayed in all senses of the word, that is Jesus. And yet, He took it all down on the Cross with Him.Jesus had to deal with betrayal in the most painful ways. It wasn't just the act of betrayal itself, but the physical pain He had to endure as a ripple effect of that betrayal. A moment of prolonged agony it is, but He overcame it all.
"I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." - John 16:33
An Act of Forgiveness
Today, what Jesus did on the Cross for us serves as a reminder that while we were sinners, God chose to forgive. An act of selfless love done purely to save us from the wrath of eternal condemnation. Forgiving someone is not always an act, but it is a matter of the heart. That is why when the pain is too severe backed by pride; it is impossible to forgive.And yet, along with the transformation of our minds comes the transformation of our hearts. We are no longer attached to the chains of anger and bitterness. Not because we became numb from the pain, but because we have to do in our new identity as followers of Christ.No longer are we slaves to sin and anything attached to it because we were made pure and free out of love. To give back the love that took place on the Cross, we have to have that love in our hearts, too.
Prayer Changes Everything
How did I deal with the pain brought about by betrayal? I hung it on to the Cross because I was already given the promise to walk here in this world free of its chains until eternity.No, it is not that easy. But here's how I exactly did it. I went down on my knees, shed all the tears of anguish, and blurted this out with all the strength I could muster:
"Lord,Forgive me if I will ask you once more to carry for me the pain of betrayal, and all the hatred, rage, and resentment that surrounds it though You have instructed us to carry our own crosses. I want to but I can't, not without your help.For I am weak but You are strong. I am defenseless but You are powerful. I am human but You are God. Give me hope that in my suffering for doing what is right, I might share the Kingdom that You have prepared for us with You."
And so I prayed.I encourage you to continue reading on this topic. Here's a link to a post written by another DailyPS author: "How To Forgive."