Daily Delight

Broken trust wounds deeply. There is a unique kind of pain that a breech of trust can inflict on a tender heart.  It is not unlike the searing pain of a hand that catches the red-hot edge of the burner as it is reaching into an oven to retrieve a meal.  We flinch from pain and are cautious in future similar situations.  The same principle applies to a heart that is bruised by broken trust.  It is hard to be vulnerable going forward once the sting of distrust has begun to harden a betrayed heart.

Sadly, the pain of betrayal is a universal experience for us because of the very first betrayal of trust when Eden fell.  Adam and Eve turned their backs on their Creator and instead believed a lie that God was holding out on them.  Their sin originated in their lack of trust in God.  Ironically, God was proven to be fully trustworthy, but mankind has forever since been defined by lack of trust in one another and lack of trust in God.

David also experienced the pain of betrayal.  He writes many times about his feelings toward those who have deceived him.  One such passage is found in the midst of Psalm 56.  “Be gracious to me, O God, for man tramples on me; all day long an attacker oppresses me; my enemies trample on me all day long, for many attack me proudly…(Psalm 56:1-2 ESV).  David is lifting his complaint of injustice to the Lord, but he does not remain in a place of hurt and anger.  He then ‘preaches to himself’ about the trustworthiness of God, “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?” (Psalm 56:4 ESV)

It is ultimately a matter of trust.  We always have a choice to make in the midst of the pain of betrayal by others.  We can set a tall wall around our wounded heart, or we can read the promises of God that confirm how worthy He is of our trust. We then, by His power, can be tenderhearted toward one another, too.  Step out in bold trust of the One who will never forsake you.  Ask Him to help you to trust others again.

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Photo: @byhannahrose

	Bonnie Arends
	THURSDAY WRITER
	Bonnie is a woman who finds her identity and mission in Jesus. She is passionate that others will come to know the Living Hope that she lives in and from each day. Bonnie's life verse is, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15). Bonnie lives 'in the middle of a cornfield' with her farmer husband and son. She enjoys the space and quiet of rural living and is especially thankful for the beautiful sunsets she experiences over the farm's vast pastures.