Series: Blessed Be
Romans 3:23 ESV
Psalm 1:2 ESV
Psalm 1:2 MSG
Philippians 4:6-7 MSG
When life throws us a curve ball we often get blind-sided, especially when do not see it coming.
That’s because trusting others to be kind and to live in the light of God’s love isn’t always what happens.
When someone we really care about is the very person who violates our trust we can (and often do) suffer loss. Not only do we lose trust in the other person, we can be left in a position where we have to rebuild trust in humanity.
The bottom line here is that life is hard.
People will fail us.
The Apostle Paul even warns us in Romans 3:23 that “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” and that includes us.
When we have been betrayed, especially badly betrayed our first instinct is to do whatever we need to do to protect ourselves. Psychology tells us that as humans we either fight or we fly away (run). In other words if you tend to be a fighter you might confront the person who has violated your trust. If you are a flier you might run from that person.
Both scenarios can be problematic. In other words, we do not always end up with the perfect result we want.
As difficult and painful as the situation might be, we do still have another option. We have a better choice when the way ahead doesn’t seem to be clear.
Psalm 1:2 tells us when our “delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law,” and we stick with it meditating “day and night,” God is certain to show us the way to healing.
Psalm 1:2 in the Message says “Instead you thrill to God’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.”
In other words, instead of going out on our own we turn to God’s Word and we rely on God to lead us.
I used to tell my kids, “back up the truck” and that meant stop what you are doing and re-think it.
In this case it means, stop planning how to handle the situation when you’ve been betrayed. You have a much better option.
Take time to sit in God’s Word and remember God knows the truth.
Instead of going forward on your own, by meditating on the Word of God you will be reminded of the nature and character of God.
You will be reminded of God’s love.
Meditate on it.
That doesn’t mean you will do nothing about the difficult situation you are in. It simply means you will turn to God and wait for just a bit.
After you sit with God’s Word for a bit, ask God to help you resolve your pain. Let God heal you.
When you catch your breathe and you can relax, ask God to show you how to proceed. Listen and wait for the answer to come. Listen for as long as it takes for you to hear God’s response.
Next (and for some this is the hard part) pray for the other person. Forgive them. That is an important step in the process. By forgiving them you are truly releasing the matter into God’s capable hands.
Understand by forgiving them you are not saying they were right. You are simply releasing the matter to God so that God can fully deal with the situation.
Someone I know used to tell me, ‘God is a gentleman’. God will not force us to surrender. Our loving God waits for us to be ready to let go so the matter can be handled by God.
After you release it, relax.
In Philippians 4:6-7 we are told, “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
Remember when we have been badly wounded it’s not always easy to release it to God, especially the first time you practice forgiveness.
Don’t expect instant relief.
Give God time to hear you and in time you will notice a difference.
Every time you remember the pain take a moment to meditate on God’s Word again.
It will remind you that God is working on your request.
Spiritual Practice: Breathe
Sit comfortably. Breathe in and slowly blow it out slowly. It works best if you count to four as you breathe in, count to four as you breathe out, and then count to six as you pause. Then repeat the breathing pattern.
In God, Deborah
Comments