It was a betrayal like none I had ever experienced. I was pregnant and alone. All I did was cry and all I wanted to do was lash out in anger to the one who betrayed me.

The anger and heartache consumed me for weeks. During an emotionally difficult day, I came up with a plan to expose the betrayal to everyone. But something I read in the Bible changed my way of thinking:

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 (ESV)

I was a fairly new Christian and I didn’t remember ever reading this scripture before, and it pierced my heart. In the first word of the scripture, God was telling me He loved me because He called me “Beloved.” He knew and understood the pain I was experiencing.

And in that moment, I immediately felt all the anger disappear. I soon realized I did not want anyone to hurt as bad as I did. I began praying for the one who betrayed me and who caused me so much pain. Once I started praying this way, my heart filled with mercy and forgiveness.

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:28 (NIV)

I was still heartbroken, but with time and God’s love, my heart was healed. There were times the anger tried to consume me and fill my mind with negative thoughts. When this happened, I would turn to I Corinthians 13:

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. I Corinthians 13:4-7 (ESV)

The words from these verses convinced me that I am to keep no record of any wrongdoing in my heart. This isn’t always easy, and the only way I can do this is with and through the love of Jesus.

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. I Peter 4:8 (NIV)