How to get Revenge after Betrayal

I was reading a devotional that came to my email. The devotion read "whether you have already or not, we are all going to experience some type of betrayal at some point in our lives. I read this and I just stopped and paused for a minute. I thought to myself....wow, I can relate. Maybe I have experienced betrayal earlier in life. However, it has never really stuck with me or affected me the way it has in the last few years. In the last few years, I have experienced hurt in ways I never thought were possible "for me". Yes, I know that sounds so naïve. It sounds blind. To some people, it may even sound childish. I just like to believe the best in the people I choose to allow in my life and in my circle.

The good news is, despite betrayal. Jesus overcame. In that, I learned that, I too, could experience a strength like Jesus. In Luke 22 we see the story of Judas and how He betrayed Jesus. There are ingredients to betrayal.

1) Betrayal requires close relational proximity. It's not betrayal if it's not someone you trust.

2) Betrayal requires selfishness. Judas (and also Peter) betrayed Jesus but their decision to do so was birthed out of the need to preserve their own life/desires. Judas betrayed Jesus for money. Peter betrayed Jesus out of fear of losing his own life.

3) Betrayal requires purpose. Before Jesus was betrayed, He told Peter that he would betray Him. (Luke 22:34). He also knew that Judas would betray Him. As a matter of fact, when Peter denied that he would betray Jesus, Jesus responds with a word of rebuke. Why? Because He knew that betrayal was the source by which His purpose would be served and the example by which His grace would be shown.

Jesus knew that He had to die as a living, Holy sacrifice to reconcile us to God. He also knew that the process wouldn't be pretty, nor desirable. He also knew that betrayal was a huge part of that. He knew that a part of His call was to be betrayed and show love in spite of, because WE would face betrayal. Jesus came in the flesh so that He could experience every source of pain we would ever experience and He could show us exactly how to respond to it.

Jesus didn't base His decision to love on whether or not the people who betrayed Him were repentant or sorry for what they did. He based His decision on God's will. His flesh was crucified, but in His obedience, His spirit was lifted. In His obedience, His life was preserved. In His obedience, He gained all power. In His obedience, not even death overtook Him.

The world will tell you to "match energy". Your flesh will tell you to be vengeful or expose them and it will make you feel better. Your flesh will tell you to get even or do mean things. Your flesh will see them "move on" and seemingly live the "good life" despite what they did to you & fall into envy.

BUT, Follow Jesus. Just do the will of God despite what your flesh may want. Your reward is in Him. Like Jesus, YOU. WILL. WIN. The best way to seek revenge over betrayal, is to show love!