I was praying over this after the church service on Sunday. Pastor Jack had us write down on cards someone that had betrayed us in our early life. On the back of the card we had to write how we felt. My feeling was "vulnerable".
Who would betray you in life? Many times a family member will break a trusted relationship and cross boundaries. Most of the time it is a close friend.
I found this on the interent The 48 Laws of Power:
"Never put too Much Trust in Friends, Learn how to use Enemies
Be wary of friends-they will betray you more quickly, for they are easily aroused to envy. They also become spoiled and tyrannical. But hire a former enemy and he will be more loyal than a friend, because he has more to prove. In fact, you have more to fear from friends than from enemies. If you have no enemies, find a way to make them."
I definitely do not agree with the 48 Laws of Power as being something for my life...but was intrigued by the writer's point that your enemies can be trusted more than your friends or even your family. I would rather turn to God, He is the highest power.
Betrayal in a relationship often leaves you feeling taken advantage of, deceived, humiliated or cheated. Often it comes unannounced and the surprise leaves you in great pain. It can be difficult to regain ground and find the light that comes from such life experiences. Some betrayals are planned out, others evolve from situations that just happen. Betrayals can often change the course of history as can your response to them. The destruction remains behind no matter what. The impact of the pain can often take years to work through. Learning to release and forgive is often difficult.
That takes me back again to the prayer from yesterday,
"Thank you, God, for everything you gave me, and thank you more for everything you took."
Judas took thirty silver coins and betrayed Jesus. We all face betrayal in our lives. How did Jesus handle it? How do you respond to betrayal?
John 13: 2-5 "The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him."
Jesus already knew Judas had betrayed him. He still washed Judas' feet in a humble act of service. Despite the pain of betrayal, we cannot allow discouragement to keep us from life. Pain and anger slow our world down and create a pool of misery that we tend to linger in. God is ready to TAKE it from us. Are you ready to give it up?
The last thing Jack had us do was write down the feeling we had giving it up to God... allow Him to 'take' the situation. I wrote down 'strength'.
Biblegateway has a remarkable commentary on Jesus' view of loving your enemies. Click here to read it. Grace comes from forgiveness....how open is your heart to His Grace and are you ready to receive it? Are you ready to see life through the eyes of grace?
Words of my heart, Laurie
“I will lay down my life for you.” Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Amen, amen, I
say to you, the cock will not crow before you deny me three times.” Jn 13:21-33, 36-38
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