Biblical Answer

When a family member betrays us, it can be a difficult and painful experience. As a Christian, we are called to forgive those who have wronged us, even if it's hard to do so. The Bible teaches us to "forgive as we have been forgiven" (Matthew 6:14-15). This means that we are to extend the same kind of forgiveness to others that God has extended to us through Jesus Christ. Forgiveness doesn't mean that we forget what happened or that we condone the behavior, but rather that we release the person from the debt they owe us and choose not to hold it against them.

In order to forgive our family members, we need to understand that we are not responsible for their actions. We can't control how others behave, and we can't make them behave in a certain way. What we can control is our own response to the situation. We can choose to respond with anger, bitterness, and resentment, or we can choose to respond with love, compassion, and forgiveness. The Bible teaches us to "not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (Romans 12:2). This means that we need to renew our minds with the truth of God's Word and allow it to transform us.

If we're struggling to forgive our family members, it may be helpful to seek out wise counsel from a trusted friend, family member, or pastor. We may also need to seek out support groups or counseling to help us work through our emotions and develop a more biblical perspective on forgiveness. The Bible teaches us that "faithfulness to your community of neighbors involves not lying, not committing adultery, not stealing, and certainly not murdering" (Matthew 22:37-40). Forgiveness is a key part of faithfulness, and it's something that we can practice in our relationships with others. By choosing to forgive our family members, we can experience freedom from the burden of unforgiveness and live a more joyful and peaceful life.