Betrayal and brokenness are not feelings we want to experience. We long for idyllic circumstances without sorrow and suffering. But we live in a fallen world, and heartache is a fact of life. The more we love someone, the deeper the knife of deceit penetrates our hearts, cracking us wide open, and spilling out raw emotion. A wayward child, a straying spouse, and the loss of a beloved friend all have the potential to deeply wound us. We all know how that feels, and so does the Lord, and He helps us process the pain of betrayal.
Betrayal in the Garden of Eden
God gave Adam one command in the garden of Eden- don’t eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 1:15-17) Adam and Eve had free rein to enjoy all the other fruit in paradise. They only had one restriction.
This boundary was for the good of mankind. God is good, everything He does is good, and every command He gives is good. He’s omniscient, all-knowing, and wants to spare them the anguish that death brings. Because He loved them. Isn’t that why we set boundaries for our kids?
But they don’t like boundaries and rebel against the rules. And we can thank Adam and Eve for that. Genesis 3:1-15 tells that story. The serpent deceived Eve into thinking that God was holding out on her, that He wasn’t good, and that He wasn’t enough.
Betrayal leads to broken relationships
Instead of trusting that God knew best, she ate the forbidden fruit. Eve desired to have more, know more, and be more. She gave the fruit to Adam, and he chose to disregard God’s warning, disobey His command, and devour it as well. In that moment, their perfect fellowship with God was broken by betrayal.
Sin, suffering, sorrow, and shame entered the world.
Their relationship with God was never the same. Not only that, but they would now experience the agony that death brings. What a dark day.
All of humanity has been infected with a sin nature and rebellious heart because of their betrayal in the Garden of Eden.
Romans 5:12 KJV ~ Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
Betrayal in the Garden of Gethsemane
Hence the need for a Savior. The sinless, spotless Lamb of God was born to save the world from their sins.
Jesus spent roughly three years investing in his twelve disciples. One of those disciples was Judas Iscariot. Judas’s self-interest ranked higher than his loyalty to Christ. He made a covenant with the chief priests for thirty pieces of silver to deliver Jesus to them. (Matthew 26:14-16)
After all the investment that Jesus made in his life, the teaching, the miracles he witnessed, the prayers he heard, the tender care he received… Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss in the Garden of Gethsemane. (Matthew 26:46-50)
The selfish sin nature within us is what drives us to break trust and hearts in the process, as we seek to please ourselves. Click To TweetJesus forgave and so should we
Jesus had a choice. He could’ve been angry and killed Judas on the spot. Anger is a normal emotional response to betrayal. So is intense sorrow. Grieving over the loss of a relationship, a break in fellowship, and the absence of loyalty and trust is a natural place to land. But we can’t live there.
Just like Jesus, dying on the cross, crying “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do“, we have to release those that have hurt us from the grip of our emotions. Forgiveness is the only way to be free.
If God can forgive us for all of our sins against Him, who are we to withhold forgiveness from those who sin against us?
Of course, that is easier said than done. Healing takes time. We have to abide in Christ and allow His all-sufficient grace to give us the strength we need to obey His word.
Turning our eyes to Jesus, seeking His help through the suffering will lift us out of the pit of despair. Click To Tweet
Jesus is Our Healer, Help, and Hope When We Are Betrayed
Thanks to the glorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, shattered hearts can be repaired, trust can be restored, love can be revived, and relationships can be reconciled. The deeper the wound, the longer it takes to heal, but a heart in the hands of the Great Physician is safe.
As we look to Jesus for help to process the pain of betrayal, He brings scripture to our remembrance and reminds us of His presence and power. He brings the peace that surpasses all understanding as we lift every hurt to Him in prayer. Jesus gives us clarity of mind as we seek wisdom in His word.
Jesus is our healer, our help, and our hope.
So, if you feel broken or betrayed, fix your eyes on Jesus. His love is perfect, His grace is plenty, His presence is palpable, and His word is powerful. Jesus is everything that you need.
Psalm 34:18-19 KJV ~ The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
Articles Related to Processing the Pain of Betrayal:
Identifying the Devices of the Devil ~ Standing strong in spiritual warfare
11 Prayers for Unity in Your Marriage
20 Beautiful Bible Verses About Light in the Darkness (KJV)
Renew Your Mind and Revive Your Heart with ‘It is Written’
How to Be Secure in the Savior
7 Ways Out of a Spiritual Slump
Resource Library:
I have created a resource library with tools for spiritual growth here at Daily His Disciple. There are scripture lists for topical study and memorization, and more Bible study tools will be added regularly. Simply enter your email address and hit subscribe to get the link to the resource library and the password. You will also get my blog posts in your email, in addition to access to these Bible study resources.
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Pray With Confidence
Prayer is essential to help you process the pain of betrayal. If you would like to grow in your prayer life, then check out Pray with Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the monthly contributors. Here are a few links I think will be a blessing to you:
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos
19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God
15 Bible Verses About Rest When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed
You also want to check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs. There are many great options to boost your spiritual growth!
It is said that anything we have been through, Jesus has been through also. Sometimes that is hard to imagine, but also like the Bible says, through Christ all things are possible. So it is possible for us to let go of bitterness, and embrace the Lord, because it is only through Him that forgiveness is possible. God bless you and your ministry.
So true! Thank you for reading and commenting, you’re a blessing! 😊
Great post, Annie! I have been betrayed by various people in my life, but like you said, I have to move on for my own good and so that I can be useful to God, because if I stay in bitterness and resentment, my ministry is stunted.
It’s not easy, and it takes time and a lot of prayer, but with God- anything is possible! Thank you for reading and commenting, you’re a blessing! 😊