Yes, I’ve experienced deep betrayals from the very people who should have known better. It does leave one hurt and lost. I have struggled for years with the resulting hurt. I let anger and resentment live in me. It has been an active project to, first forgive them, and second to banish the resentment. It is very easy to forgive, in an intellectual manner, it is difficult from the emotional/spiritual manner. But is is absolutely essential for us to do this if we are to grow spiritually.
I think the point about praying for those who have injured us is excellent. If we have any opportunity to exhibit kindness, that helps. It may be forced at first. But as time goes on it becomes less so. The other party may not respond, but that is because their conscious (with the Holy Spirit) is bringing it to their attention that they have sinned and need forgiveness.
Also, it needs to be pointed out that we will not forget. We will not have a brain wipe like in the movies. This is so that we can learn the lesson. It may be that we need to remember the circumstances that led to the sin so we may not sin again. It may be to remember that the other person is a spiritually weaker person, and they will act in hurtful ways because they really don’t get it. For instance, in my family is an individual who continues to repeat the same errors again and again etc. They continue to put themselves in situations that lead to trouble, thinking they can “master” the situation. In this situation I have learned to just lower my expectations, and to not give any rope with which to hang them self. It is difficult, but we do need to learn the lesson.
Don’t get me wrong. I no longer harbor animosity for these people, I hold no feelings at all for them, I am through with them.
There was one woman that I cheerfully would have killed, if I could have gotten away with it. Now, it ould be too much trouble to spit and cause her death, But if she neede help, she would not receive it from me.
She not not only lied and cost me some friends that I treasured, she cost me a subtantial sum of money, and endangered my wife’s life. It is that last that I can’t really forgive her for. I recovered financially, and friends that believe lies without a little investigation aren’t worth having.
My nwife is still alive, but she could have died, and this woman knew it.