At some point in our lives, we’ll experience betrayal and be hurt by others. They might start a friendship with good intentions but gradually become infected with jealousy and greed, or they might deliberately set out to mislead us into believing we can trust them. During his ministry, Paul wrote about how he was ‘in danger from false believers’ (2 Corinthians 11:26 NIV). And even the psalmist wrote: ‘My best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me.’ It’s often the people we love and trust the most who have the greatest power to hurt us. That’s why it’s so important for us to pray about every relationship to make sure it’s where God wants us to be. It’s really difficult when someone we’ve trusted, loved, or looked up to betrays us. But if it happens, the first thing to remember is that God won’t betray us. Although we might not understand His ways of working or what He’s doing, ‘in everything God works for the good of those who love him’ (Romans 8:28 NCV). He’ll bring something good out of every bad situation we go through. We also need to deal with the hurt and anger we feel, so we don’t become weighted down with bitterness or let it put us off any future friendships. After lamenting about his friend who betrayed him, the psalmist said to God, ‘I know you are pleased with me, for you have not let my enemies triumph over me. You have preserved my life’ (Psalm 41:11-12 NLT). We’ll feel bruised for a while, but we need to get back up again and allow God’s love to heal our wounds.

What Now?

Have you been betrayed by anyone? If you haven’t begun the healing process yet, talk to God about it today. If you know you’ve betrayed someone, take time to confess it to God and ask Him to help you find ways to make amends.