"To be intimate with others is to reveal our innermost selves to them, including our emotions, thoughts and desires. For such deep sharing of the soul and spirit to occur, people must respect and trust each other. ... In a world controlled by sin, however, to choose to be intimate is to choose to be hurt. Yet Jesus calls us to this kind of intimacy with Him and with one another."
~ Kenneth A. Schmidt ~
I personally find it very difficult to open up to others, especially women. There have been many times where I was betrayed. I've had women who couldn't wait to go behind my back and repeat everything that I had shared with them. Another incident was that I found out years after the fact that a woman that I ministered to and prayed for fervently because of her situation with her husband had actually had an affair with mine (my former spouse.) Then during my divorce there were friends who gossiped about me to the pastor all in the name of "keeping my best interest at heart."
It hurt.
Yes, I have had a tough time with female friendships but, we have a loving God who established long ago that we were to work in unity with one another and He has repeatedly shown me His heart for these hurting women. I've come to realize just how important these friendships are and I now seek them. Even those who have hurt me so deeply. It is still hard to trust some of them and there are of course those who are now out of my life and all I can do is simply continue to pray for them. There are also many new friendships that God has brought into my life. These women are so caring and wise and I am truly grateful that God has sent them to me. I pray that I never taste the bitter pain of that hurt again but if I do I still know how it must be handled. I also know that I need to rekindle some of those old friendships. Forgiveness is hard but opening up to them again is harder.
Gosh, I can't imagine how God must feel. Don't we do this to Him? Sort of puts it in a new perspective doesn't it?
For more Tuesdays In "other" Words please visit Bonnie at Ink It Blog.
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Well said. Thanks for sharing.
I love the thought you ended with, Amy- how God feels! We don't keep that in mind often enough.
I am sorry you have experienced such pain and betrayal from the ones who should have loved you the most. I thank God that He has brought new friends in to love ya!
Blessings,
Tracy
(((Amy))) I can certainly understand your pain. Thank you for opening up and sharing your heart. ((Hugs)) BTW, Happy belated Birthday! ;)
I love the end where you brought it back to Jesus! Thank you!
Be blessed!
It's sad that we as women can be so ugly sometimes. Just the opposite of how God envisions it. I'm glad you're moving forward. you are an example of hope!
Thanks for being transparent and real with this very personal subject. I personally want to say how sorry I am that people, especially other women have hurt you as you allowed them close. But, I am so grateful that you trust God and allow Him to teach you more about Himself through it all. Thanks for being faithful to share your journey with us. God Bless.
I too have experienced the pain of betrayal. It really hurts.
Women are so territorial and we hurt each other so easily.
I understand and am sorry you have experienced the pain of betrayal.
Hugs,
Julie
Amy, I've been hurt too - during a difficult time of spiritual healing, I confided to a deacon's wife thinking she would "mother" me and I just needed mothering right then. She told her husband who proceeded to rake my pastor hubby over the coals, saying both of us didn't have enough faith - then they left the church.
But thankfully, God has helped me to learn to trust and to determine who is trustworthy. Being able to be open in my writing is also a blessing.
Thanks for sharing Amy. I really appreciated your comments!
Bonnie
Oh girl I know how you feel! I think every single girl friendship I have had has ended in some betrayal or another. Actually it didn't end because of the betrayal because I ended up believing that I deserved to be treated that way or that it was the "norm" but I have definitely been there. It was moving away that ended those relationships and while I so desperately want to have close female friendships again, it has been hard to find since moving to Houston -- and I also know that I am leery of being hurt again. It takes strength and courage to risk putting yourself and your heart out there, and I can only do that through Christ. All I can do now is pray for a godly girlfriend to come along and in the meantime, for Him to continue His work in me so that when that person does come along, I can be one for them as well. Of course, I definitely thank Him for the amazing gift of my online friends! :-)
Love ya!
Wow...I hope I never have to experience that kind of pain. If you read my post, you'll find that most of my pain comes from my own injured pride.
I'm so glad you have allowed the Lord to work in you in such a way that you are willing to forgive such hurt...
I'm so sorry you've been hurt in your relationships, Amy. I pray you are able to understand others have a hard time understanding where you've been if they haven't been there themselves. Keep pressing on. The risk is worth it.
this is very good. i've dealt with this issue as well!!!
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