After my husband left me for another woman, I desperately needed a way to support myself. The Lord opened a door, and I became a secretary at a non-profit organization. I worked well with my first three supervisors for six years and received good annual evaluations and pay raises. Then Nancy became my boss.
At first, it appeared Nancy and I would have a good working relationship. After a while, however, she began neglecting her work and creating problems that she blamed on me.
Nancy wanted to redecorate the office and spent much time looking at paint charts and carpet samples. I tried to do my work, but Nancy expected me to look at the samples with her. She complained as she painted the walls because I wasn’t helping with the painting. Meanwhile, her work went undone.
Nancy and I were the only two employees in the office. Her supervisor was in an office in another city. Nancy lied about my work. Although I had a good working record, Nany eventually had me fired.
Nancy’s supervisor hired one of Nancy’s friends to replace me. Nancy’s betrayal hurt, but with God’s help, I let go of bitterness and forgave.
Christ also knew the pain of betrayal. His heart must have been close to breaking during the Passover meal, knowing that his friend, Judas, would soon betray him. Yet Jesus continued to love and forgive.
Betrayal is painful, but God will help us through those painful times if we permit Him. Perhaps someone has betrayed you—a supervisor, a spouse, a family member.
Be willing to follow Jesus’ example, forgive those who have betrayed you, and accept Jesus as your forever faithful friend.
Norma C. Mezoe strives to be a Barnabas in her writing and in her living. Norma has been a published writer for thirty years and has written for magazines, devotionals, and S.S. literature. She is active in her small church as clerk, teacher, and bulletin maker. Norma may be contacted at normacm@tds.net.