Recover From Sexual BetrayalSample

How Do I Move from Forgiveness to Trust?

Forgiveness and trust are two entirely separate things.  While we are called to forgive, we are not told to trust those who have betrayed us.  Jesus says in Proverbs 4:23 to guard our hearts. 

So how do you guard your heart against repeated betrayal by a partner?  While there is no guarantee that we will not suffer betrayal again, we can do our best to follow the guidelines that God has given us for relationships.   We communicate directly with the person who has offended us (Matthew 18:15-20), and we watch for the fruit of repentance (Matthew 3:8-10).  In other words, the person who has betrayed us should be repentant before we trust them with our heart again.  Someone may say they are sorry with their lips, but they should also display some tangible evidence of that in the way they walk out their sorrow over their wrongdoing.  

There is only One that we can give our heart fully and know it is in good hands, and that is God.  He delights in us, He pursues us, and He is without sin.  He cares deeply for our broken heart and longs to heal us and bring something good from the ashes of betrayal. 

Prayer:  Father, thank you for loving me unconditionally.  Thank you for your Word that instructs me in the way in which I am to go.  Thank you that you can do in my heart what I cannot do for myself.  Help me to know the difference between forgiveness and trust.  Help me to set up healthy boundaries to guard my heart while still being able to love like Jesus. Amen.