AN INTRODUCTION
Betrayed or Betrayal
“to deliver by treachery or disloyalty”
“willingly and willfully violating a trust”
“to reveal or disclose a confidence”
Little else cuts as deep or hurts as much as betrayal. The nature of betrayal is to willfully fracture the trust extended from another. It fractures the respect within a marriage, friendship, or close association.
BETRAYAL’S WORST CUTS
- Vows shattered by abuse, adultery, or abandonment.
- By making public a closely guarded intimacy of another.
- Being used, manipulated and then disregarded.
- Stabbed in the back by a friend, partner, or employer.
- Promises openly given but deviously broken.
There are many kinds of betrayal, too many.
THE PAIN OF IT
When betrayed we feel subdued and defeated. We feel used and abused. Broken people will often attempt to break us too, using betrayal to gain their victory.
The pain runs deep because it is such a violating act. It’s an abuse of our respect and trust. It breaks our hearts and crushes our spirit.
OVERCOMING BETRAYAL
Moving past betrayal is hard because we are not only grieved, but often angry and vengeful. It’s not uncommon for betrayed people to entertain thoughts of revenge. The betrayed wants to hurt the betrayer.
IN CLOSING
In Wednesday’s blog I’ll try to help those who have been betrayed. The answers aren’t found in getting even, but in letting go.
I’ll give examples and offer some hopefully helpful hints for recovery. I say, “Hints” because overcoming betrayal requires gentle and sensitive language; more of a scalpel than a broad sword.
So, stay strong, hang in there, and don’t give up.
