One of the things that has always been the hardest thing for me to deal with is betrayal. It’s been a prevalent thing in my life starting with my father who walked out when I was 6 and never looked back. Betrayal and rejection go hand in hand. They are partners in crime, if you will. Because of that I’ve tried to be someone who can be counted on and trustworthy. Loyal to a fault if need be.

As I gotten older I’ve come to realize that part of the problem has been a false expectation of people who are incapable, for whatever reason, of being trustworthy. Many people have their own issues and bondages that cause them to act the way they do. They are the result of bad programming that has never been corrected. It’s like the parable of the scorpion and the frog. It’s in their nature to sting. People are who they are.

That’s doesn’t excuse their behavior but it does explain it. And it doesn’t mitigate the hurt of their betrayal but allows me to forgive easier. If the Lord can say “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” I too must forgive. False expectations always lead to failure. I am only responsible for my behavior. I cannot control theirs. And, I choose to be like Him.

Richard J Grund