To Preserve Your Own Peace.

Romans 12:14-21 Bless those who persecute you. Keep on blessing them, and never curse them.
Rejoice with those who are rejoicing. Cry with those who are crying.
Live in harmony with each other. Do not be arrogant, but associate with humble people. Do not think that you are wiser than you really are.
Do not pay anyone back evil for evil, but focus your thoughts on what is right in the sight of all people.
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with all people.
Do not take revenge, dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me. I will pay them back, declares the Lord.
But if your enemy is hungry, feed him. For if he is thirsty, give him a drink. If you do this, you will pile burning coals on his head. Do not be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.

It is a hard lesson to corrupt natures not to avenge ourselves. Those that revenge are conquered, and those that forgive are conquerors. Be not overcome by evil. Learn to defeat betrayals against you to preserve your own peace. He who has this rule over his spirit is better than the mighty. It will be more sweet to you than all earthly good that God so enables you by His Spirit to feel and act.

Despite the pain, there is a way we can overcome betrayal. the power comes directly from God and the strength of forgiveness.

Psalm 55:16-17 I call upon God, and the Lord will deliver me. Morning, noon, and night, I mulled over these things and cried out in my distress, and He heard my voice.

1. Cry out to God - Though I may want to strike out at the betrayer I need to take my cause to the Lord 1 Peter 3:9 Do not pay others back evil for evil or insult for insult, Instead, keep blessing them, because you were called to inherit a blessing.
2. Remember Jesus' example. Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:39, 44) 1 Peter 2:23 - when Jesus was abused He did not return abuse. Conform to His example by not repaying abuse for abuse, including the abuse of betrayal. I am to do good even to those who harm me.
3. Forgive. When I choose to forgive I am actually giving that person a gift - the freedom from personal retaliation. I am also giving myself a gift - a "grudge-free" life. Trade my bitterness and anger for the love of God - a wonderful life-giving exchange.
4. Pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44) It is extremely difficult to forgive a person who has betrayed our trust. it is only possible with God - Luke 18:27 The things that are impossible for people are possible for God.

I have experienced God's love and understand what it means to be loved unconditionally and undeservedly. Only with the help of God's Spirit can I love and pray for those who seek to do me harm.