Even of it is acknowledged that ‘all growth occurs in relationships”, many men are reluctant to enter into new ones or to move towards greater intimacy in existing ones because of betrayal.
Types of Betrayal
- The betrayal of divorce is the risk associated with the intimacy of the marriage contract
- The physical or emotional abandonment of a child is a betrayal of the intimacy of parenthood
- Being “let down” by people we trust in business, professional, and personal life is also to experience betrayal
Responses to Betrayal
- Revenge – I’ll “get back” at the betrayer
- Denial of Reality – “I’ll never love again. Relationships are too difficult.”
- Cynicism – “Trust nobody. Once bitten, twice shy.”
The Solution to Betrayal: Forgiveness
The Stages of Forgiveness are:
- I can’t forgive the betrayer
- I want to forgive
- I forgive
- I love the betrayer as Jesus loves
Jesus Christ is the Answer
To err is human. To forgive, divine. It takes a relationship with Jesus Christ, the only person you can completely trust, to forgive grievous hurt. It is only in relationship with Jesus that we can live life in abundance.