Samantha slammed the door causing the pictures on the wall to rattle.

“That’s it. I’ve had it,” she said.

Why had she trusted him again? Weren’t the past two times enough for her to open her eyes?

Samantha stomped to the living room, plunked herself on the couch, and crossed her arms.

Her father folded one side of his newspaper down and peeked over his glasses. “What did he do this time, Sam?”

“Stood me up. Third time in two weeks.”

She stood and began to pace the floor.

Her father placed his newspaper on the coffee table and took off his glasses. “What was his reason this time?

She counted on her fingers. “Had to work. Last time, his alarm didn’t go off, so he missed our breakfast date. Before that, his car wouldn’t start. Left me waiting out in the cold.”

“Sounds like legitimate reasons to me.”

Samantha threw her hands in the air. “Dad, how can you say that? This is just unforgivable.”

“Honey, give the guy a break. Besides, Christ commanded us to forgive seventy times seven. So, you have a long way to go yet.”

Samantha put her hands on her hips and tapped her toe. “Whose side are you on anyway?”

Her father chuckled, put his glasses back on, and picked up the newspaper.

The above story is meant for comic relief, but have you ever been betrayed by someone? Over and over?

Have you been crushed by the one you love the most? Left behind to pick up the pieces?

I have. As I’ve shared in the blogs under “My Story,” my first husband ended our five and a half years of marriage without any reason. Other than he wasn’t happy any more. And then he left.

Left me to figure out the puzzle of why. Unforgivable!

Feelings of betrayal, abandonment, and anger overpowered me like hurricane winds. For weeks I couldn’t stand on my own two feet.

Then slowly as I worked through the emotions head on, my anger began to subside. I found out the real reason he left (for more on this go to My Story) and God helped me through the pain.

After this I knew I had to forgive. Not only for my sake, but for those around me. I knew if I didn’t I would become a bitter woman. I didn’t want that. So over time and with lots of prayer, I forgave him.

Was it easy? Of course not. But, I knew Christ had commanded it.

So I did.

What if we chose to forgive like Christ asked us to? We are obedient to our Father. We’re also better witnesses to those around us. And you’re able to move on with an amazing sense of freedom.

How about you? Are you going through a deep hurt and resentment toward someone? Feeling betrayed? Let go and forgive. Trust me, you’ll feel so much better!

Matthew 18:22 (The Message)

Jesus replied, “Seven! Hardly. Try seventy times seven.”