The pain of betrayal by someone you love cuts deeper than any other. It feels like a mix of shock, grief, and anger. In these moments, your first instinct might be to lash out or retreat into bitterness.
The Bible is no stranger to this type of pain; even Jesus, our Lord, Himself was betrayed by a close friend with a kiss.
In your heartache, remember that God is near to the brokenhearted. He sees your pain, and you can pour out your honest feelings to Him without fear. As Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
After you have taken your pain to God, the difficult but crucial step is to release the person and the offense to Him. This is not saying what they did was okay; it is choosing to not let their sin control your life through unforgiveness. Holding onto bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping the other person gets sick. Jesus commands us to forgive because He first forgave us. Ephesians 4:31-32 instructs, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger… Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Letting go is an act of faith, trusting God to be your perfect judge and defender.
Finally, allow God to heal your heart and restore your purpose. Betrayal can make you feel worthless, but your value comes from God, not from human loyalty. He can use this deep hurt to make you more compassionate and reliant on His never-failing love. Like Joseph, who was betrayed by his brothers, you can one day say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).
