“Cast your burden on the Lord—
he will support you!
God will never let the righteous be shaken!”
Reflection
Have you ever felt betrayed? When a friend, family member, mentor, or colleague betrays us, the emotional pain can often feel worse than when the one betraying us is a stranger or known enemy. We expect better from the people we care about or count on. And when we don’t get it, we are often left reeling with anxiety, stewing in anger, and at times – even explosive in our response. In short, our response to betrayal can take us over if we let it.
Looking around at our lives and the world, it’s probably safe to say that betrayal is a feeling many of us are carrying around. When a spouse is unfaithful, a friend turns against you, your colleague takes credit for your work, a political or spiritual leader abuses their power, a corporation exploits its workers, the systems designed to help us live in community actually perpetuate systemic injustice, or the news outlets that are meant to keep us informed, instead spread misinformation and division – it is easy to become consumed by these harmful experiences. We want our relationships, our agencies, and our communities to be places where we can put our trust, and it hurts deeply when we are reminded of how flawed they can become.
The writer of Psalm 55 lifts his voice to God in a time such as this — having been personally betrayed by an individual he should have been able to trust; having looked around to be confronted by violence, conflict, and political upheaval in his community. And the writer oscillates between wanting vengeance and wanting nothing more than to hide, run away, sprout wings and fly off – far from all the places that he once thought he could count on but now knows he can’t.
But then – almost miraculously and I’m certain by God’s grace – the author has a shift in perspective:
“I call out to God, and the Lord will rescue me… He saves me, unharmed, from my struggle… Cast your burden on the Lord – he will support you! God will never let the righteous be shaken… For me? I trust in you.”
The author makes a choice in his betrayal to trust, not in imperfect people and systems, but the Lord who knows our pain. He reminds us that God promises to be faithful to us, walk with us, and ultimately, make all things new – particularly when everything is a mess. While human beings and human systems can and (often do) try to do their worst against us, we are reminded in the pages of scripture that they are not the only forces at work in our world. The Spirit of God is powerfully on the move behind the scenes, even when we cannot see it. And that should give us reason to hope. Our God promises to bring about healing and divine renewal – even in the darkest moments of disappointment. We can choose to praise God because God is on our side.
As we think about what it means to live an “uncluttered life,” and to let go of that which does not serve us well, I believe that part of what we are called to in life’s disappointments is to find ways to process and release our hopelessness and despair. God’s intention for our lives is not to be held captive by our pain, but to live in freedom. We can choose to trust that we are not alone, but in fact, our very lives are in God’s hands.
by Rev. Kate Monahan
For Pondering and Prayer
What disappointments do you need to surrender to God, trusting that God is powerful and faithful enough to see you through?
Oh God, In our disappointments, anger, and betrayal, Be with us. Remind us that in all things, you never leave us nor forsake us. Remind us that you have promises us life and freedom in you. Help us put down all that holds us back from claiming it for ourselves. Amen.
