No.Nonsense.

Three years ago, the office where I worked decided to retool my position and opted to not offer me the new and improved responsibilities. It was a blow but I held no ill will. They knew what they wanted and I knew what I didn’t want so we parted on good terms. I went from there to another office down the street doing the same type of work. First month, I was the best thing ever. Second month, I was cautioned about not doing my best because I dared to expect a lunch break. Third month, I couldn’t do anything right. Fourth month, I was fired for “inappropriate behavior” and given a list of my indiscretions which was every single time someone in the small office took exception to something I did or said. I was just being myself and doing my job and they were literally nitpicking every single breath I took.

When I walked out of that office, I was so broken I could barely function. I had been accused of things that were not true or misrepresented. I had been torn down in every way. I was damaged in my confidence. I felt betrayed by people I thought were nice but were plunging a knife in my back.

A month later I started work at a place that gave me a chance when I didn’t have experience in the field. I met a team of people who understood that I had been beaten down and they bound up my wounds and gave me a renewed purpose. They helped me work through my trauma and rebuild my confidence. They valued me. I now count every one of them as not just coworkers but as friends.

I’ve had other incidences where I felt betrayed. Friends have broken off ties because we disagreed on politics. Family has turned their backs when I didn’t fall in line with the way they felt my life should go. Church people have been very unchristian. Those that I should have been able to count on have let me down.

I have spent many nights crying myself to sleep.

And every time I have gotten back up and kept moving forward. Sometimes the betrayer has found their way back into my life and I am willing to forgive. Sometimes I have left them behind because they show no remorse for the hurt they dealt. And sometimes I have loved from a distance because I must protect my mental and emotional wellbeing.

One thing I have never done is to live for endless days in the hurt and the defeat.

Some of you may be walking through your own betrayal. Marriages are ending. Jobs are gone. Friendships are broken. Family is leaving you alone to face an unknown future. You can feel gutted by those who have hurt you.

Know this. You are worthy and you are strong and the ones who have betrayed you have done so because they are unable to see what an amazing person you are. You will survive. You will move on. You will find those in your life who will value you. Don’t let the ones who walked away determine your future.

They are the ones who have lost everything because they have lost the beauty that is you.