🌿 A Devotional When You’ve Been Betrayed
Have you ever been betrayed by someone you trusted? A friend? A family member?
I recently faced a heartbreaking situation with a close friend of mine—someone I never thought I’d have problems with. I trusted this person with my heart, my time, and my truth. They said, “I love you,” but it turned out to be a lie.
When I gently tried to address an issue I noticed, they turned the story on me. What I thought would be a moment of honest conversation became a weapon of accusation. And as if that wasn’t painful enough, they involved someone else, who demanded I apologize for something I didn’t even do.
To say that I had to re-read Galatians 5 is an understatement.
📖 Galatians 5:22–23 — When the Bible Is Hard to Live Out
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control...”
— Galatians 5:22–23, NIV
This Scripture is beautiful. But living it out when you’re hurting? That’s the real test.
How do you walk in love when you’ve been lied to?
How do you show gentleness when someone spreads false stories?
How do you have self-control when everything in you wants to clap back?
This is the tension of being a Christian. We are not called to react—we are called to respond with the Spirit.
🕊️ A Story of Betrayal That Encouraged Me — Joseph in Genesis
One of the most encouraging Bible stories about betrayal is Joseph’s. In Genesis 37, his brothers threw him into a pit and sold him. They lied to their father and said Joseph was dead. For years, Joseph was misunderstood, mistreated, and forgotten.
But eventually, he rose to power. When his brothers came needing help, Joseph didn’t repay evil for evil.
He said:
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good...” (Genesis 50:20, NIV).
That verse helped me heal. Just like Joseph, I may have been wronged—but God will still use it for good. He’s forming something in me that I wouldn’t gain any other way: Christlike character.
💛 Christian Encouragement in the Everyday — A Wearable Reminder
In the middle of this storm, I created something that helped me stay grounded:
The Fruits of the Spirit Earring Collection
These handmade polymer clay earrings are more than accessories. Each pair represents a spiritual fruit:
🍓 Love (Strawberry)
🍌 Patience (Banana)
🍋 Self-Control (Lemon)
🍎 Goodness (Apple)
🍍 Peace (Pineapple)
🍑 Gentleness (Peach)
🍉 Joy (Watermelon)
🍊 Kindness (Orange Slice)
🍇 Faithfulness (Grape)
Each earring comes with a prayer and encouragement card based on Scripture. They're lightweight, hypoallergenic, and designed for daily wear.
Every time I wear them, I’m reminded:
"God, help me bear fruit, even when it’s hard."
🙏 A Prayer for You
Lord, I lift up anyone reading this who feels betrayed or misunderstood. Strengthen their heart. Help them bear fruit when it’s easier to fall apart. Remind them of Your love, Your justice, and Your grace. Just like Joseph, turn what was meant for evil into something beautiful. In Jesus' name, amen.
✨ Need a Reminder of God's Word?
Shop the full Fruits of the Spirit Collection here:
👉 https://creationbyone.co/collections/fruits-of-the-spirit-earrings-galatians-5-22-23-collection
They make beautiful, meaningful gifts for:
-
Bible study groups
-
Christian women
-
Sunday school teachers
-
Yourself (because you deserve reminders too)
📚 References (APA Style)
New International Version. (2011). The Holy Bible. (Original work published 1978)
Genesis 37–50; Galatians 5:22–23; Genesis 50:20; Romans 12:12; Ephesians 4:32; Proverbs 3:3; Isaiah 26:3