Broken Trust

Have you ever been betrayed?  Webster defines betray eight different ways:

be·tray

• to deliver or expose to an enemy by treachery or disloyalty: Benedict Arnold betrayed his country.
• to be unfaithful in guarding, maintaining, or fulfilling: to betray a trust.
• to disappoint the hopes or expectations of; be disloyal to: to betray one's friends.
• to reveal or disclose in violation of confidence: to betray a secret.
• to reveal unconsciously (something one would preferably conceal): Her nervousness betrays her insecurity.
• to show or exhibit; reveal; disclose: an unfeeling remark that betrays his lack of concern.
• to deceive, misguide, or corrupt: a young lawyer betrayed by political ambitions into irreparable folly.
• to seduce and desert.

In my lifetime, I’ve experienced almost all of the different ways that one can be betrayed.  And, I have been the betrayer.  I’ve betrayed trust, I’ve betrayed my friends (sometimes with a simple few words of gossip), I’ve betrayed secrets, I’ve shown lack of concern for some and I’ve deceived and misguided others . . .

Just recently, I was betrayed by someone that I love.  I have struggled with an unforgiving and judging heart because of this betrayal.  I have tried to “fix” the situation, especially in my heart, but cannot seem to come to any real peace over this. 

Until today . . .   This morning, while reading my daily devotional, “Jesus Calling,” I was reminded, once again, that I need to learn to live above my circumstances.  Above my circumstances, I wondered?  As I sat quietly, I realized that what this means is that sometimes we need to get right with God, then take a God’s-eye view of our situation.   I pictured myself, hovering above and objectively and lovingly looking at my betrayer through God’s eyes.

What I realized when I focused on God, not on my hurt, is that God may be using this situation to bring us all closer to Him.  I also realized that it is not my problem to judge, but only to forgive and allow the Father to work through the situation.  Once I’ve forgiven, only then can I be forgiven.  So I asked for forgiveness for my hardened heart and my anger.

Corrie Ten Boom, a Christian woman who survived a Nazi concentration camp during the Holocaust, said, “Forgiveness is to set a prisoner free, and to realize the prisoner was you.”  So, I forgave.  I thanked God for opening my eyes and my heart.  I thanked him (in advance) for bringing this person closer to Him.  And, guess what?  The heaviness in my heart was lifted!  And, I knew that I was forgiven.

Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.                          Luke 6:37 (NIV)

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."    Mark 11:25 (NIV)