Have you ever heard the saying, forgive and love generously? It’s a great sentiment, but when it comes to betrayal, it’s not so easy to do. However, choosing to forgive is key to healing when betrayal is in the picture.

You may not feel like forgiving someone who has betrayed you. In the natural, who would? But to move forward in life without bitterness or resentment, forgiveness is freeing and can bring peace to your soul.

For most people, forgiveness is a process in which feelings follow the decision. Choosing to forgive doesn’t mean you minimize the hurt or condone the action. It actually means the opposite. You are doing the hard thing of forgiveness because of deep hurt.

Forgiveness is an emotional, but also a spiritual response, empowered by the Holy Spirit, and modeled after the life Christ.When you choose to forgive, you follow the words and actions of Christ.

Jesus was betrayed by his own people and knew the heartbreak of betrayal. He watched his beloved disciples turn against him. Judas gave Him over to his enemies for money. Peter denied Him for fear of retaliation. Yet, Jesus, in his mercy and grace, chose to forgive. The betrayers didn’t deserve it, but that was the point. God’s grace gives what isn’t deserved. He did the right thing rather than focus on being right.

Jesus could have fought back.  At his disposal were 10,000 angels ready to rescue Him from a death he did not deserve. He could call down an army, wipe out those who came against Him, and win an immediate victory. His betrayers could be brought to their knees had he retaliated.  And could we have blamed him based on how He was treated?

It must have been tempting to retaliate and seek vengeance. Jesus, fully human and fully man, could flex those powerful spiritual muscles and take down His oppressors. He could rightly put people in their places and show them who was in charge.

However, no angels or armies were called from heaven. The decision to do right ended in dying alone. There He was, wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities and the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, meaning the punishment that brought us peace was on Him. Because of his response, our reconciliation to God was made possible. Jesus gave up his right to be right. Instead, He chose to do right.

What an incredible challenge. Do we choose to do right? Or do we insist on being right? Do we generously forgive those who have betrayed us? Given the unrest in our culture, the number of times people feel betrayed by someone or some group, forgiveness could be a healing balm. Letting go of resentment and bitterness is healing for your soul.