How Do You Handle Being Deserted By A Friend?

Matt. 26:56- "But all this has taken place to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets."Then all the disciples left Him and fled." 

• Jesus Knew His Betrayers 

Jesus was deserted by His disciples, His friends the ones He chose to travel with Him. This has to be one of the worst feelings a person will experience in this lifetime. When your friends are disloyal to you this has its own type of pain.
 
This reminds me of the old saying when you go to a friend in time of need to ask for a favor and he says, "I'd love to help you out, which way did you come in?"
 
One of the main differences is Jesus knew His betrayal was coming and He even knew the ones going to betray Him.
 
He asked Judas, "Are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?" He not only knew who would betray Him He knew how it was going to be done.
 
He told Peter before the rooster crows you will have denied Me three times (Matt.26:34). We know from reading the gospels Peter will do exactly as Jesus informed him. 

• We Travel In A Different Boat 

We can't predict who will desert or betray us. It just happens and we are left to deal with the aftermath. Maybe this has happened to you with a friend, co-worker, neighbor or your spouse. Betrayal is very painful. The mental anguish wreaks havoc upon you. Like any trial the best way to overcome this is by God's Word. 

• How Christians Handle Betrayal 

Romans 3:23 - "…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,…" NASU
 
First, a Christian remembers that we are all sinners and therefore, we all make mistakes. You may also want to remember this passage of scripture:
 
Luke 22:3-4 - And Satan entered into Judas who was called Iscariot, belonging to the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and discussed with the chief priests and officers how he might betray Him to them. NASU
 
The word "satan" means adversary or one who is against what you are for and the devil is the one who is against what God is for. The devil enters into Judas and then we see Judas begin his betrayal of Jesus.
 
The person who betrays you likewise may have had the devil enter into them and this person then becomes an adversary or one who is against you.
 
Second, remember that God is sympathetic and He cares about what happens to you. He knows you are hurting and He will send relief, but you will have to be patient and wait for it to arrive.
 
1 Peter 5:6-8 - Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 7 casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you. 8 Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 
 
The devil may have devoured your friend and what will the devil do next? He will get your friend to betray you exactly like he got Judas to betray Jesus.
 
Third, don't betray or desert your friends. You didn't like it done to you so practice the golden rule and do to others what you want them to do to you.
 
The best way to counter betrayal is by being a loyal friend.
 
A friend is one who walks in when everyone else is walking out on you.
 
Be the friend you want to have in your own life. This is how a Christian handles being betrayed or deserted by a friend.
 
Think On These: 
 
"A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships." - Helen Keller
 
Some people may still have their first dollar, but the man who is really wealthy still has his first friend.

Stay Pumped,

Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word