“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:35
Our love for others is what sets us apart as disciples of Jesus. Loving others, though, is easier said than done. But we are all called to love people, yes, even those who have hurt us. It is a radical kind of love, one that Jesus exemplified in his relationship with Jesus.
We all have had Judases in our lives, people that we trusted but who betrayed us. The pain of being betrayed causes us to put up a wall to protect ourselves from being hurt again. We become wary of trusting others. And every time we get hurt, we strengthen the wall by putting another brick on it.
Loving people who deceived and attacked us behind our backs is tough but not impossible. God’s grace will enable us to break through the wall that we have built to protect ourselves. We need to let go of the pain caused by their betrayal. We need to stop playing on our minds what they did to us like a broke record. We need to release forgiveness to them. And in doing so, we free ourselves from the shackles of the enemy and allow God to heal the wound. And when it happens again? Do not rebuild the wall but rather reinforce the love of God in us and for them and release forgiveness once again.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, forgive me for holding on to the hurt caused by the betrayal of those whom I held dear to my heart. I release forgiveness to them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
APPLICATION
Who do you need to forgive today? Release forgiveness to that person. Confess it out loud. Take your forgiveness further by speaking blessings over his or her life.