Betrayal

Betrayal…with its discovery comes an unbelievable pain that reaches to the core of our being, bringing suffering that feels like our hearts are literally shattering into a million pieces. There is a realization that life as we know it is over. Everything that we saw for our future, that we believed in and trusted and hoped for is now uncertain. Everything looks different.

Many tears will follow. Not polite, soft tears. This is the gut-wrenching, uncontrollable sobbing, wetting your pillow for days, weeks, months kind of tears.

I share all of this because often overlooked or misunderstood is what the betrayed go through often in silence. It is too painful, embarrassing or shameful to talk about.

King David said in Psalm 55, “If these wounds were from an enemy, we could bear it.”

But this is our companion, the one we should trust completely who has violated that trust

and broken a covenant. Hurt, anger, devastation and confusion will overwhelm us, but underneath, there is a profound sadness. This person who we have given our hearts to has a deep hole in their souls that we are helpless to fill. Their efforts to fill that void with any person, place or thing will end in destruction.

There is only One who can fill that emptiness. He is not only the answer to their heart’s longings but he is our ever-present help and hope.

Jesus knows well what it is like to be betrayed and rejected. You don’t have to walk this road alone. Life as you’ve known it may feel shattered but it’s certainly not over. Allow Jesus to lead you through this to a better tomorrow. Find a safe place to talk about what you are going through. Find healing and recovery for yourself.

There is great hope for both the betrayed and the betrayer.

Please reach out for help and cling to the God of hope!