Grace Fellowship Church Pastor / Teacher James H. Rickard Thursday, October 16, 2008

Memory Verse Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”

The Upper Room Discourse John 13-16

John 13:18 3) God's Omniscience does not hinder or violate human volition.

Doctrine of Betrayal 11. The Trauma of Betrayal.

When the perpetrator of betrayal is a caregiver, we dissociate explicit awareness of the events.

The closer they are, the more likely we will be to forget the abuse, because the need for maintaining the relationship outweighs the need to remember the traumatic event.

“Betrayal blindness” is unawareness, not-knowing, and forgetting in regards to the betrayal, “looking the other way”.

Victims, perpetrators, and witnesses may display betrayal blindness in order to preserve relationships, institutions, and social systems upon which they depend.

Also, the demand from the perpetrator or others (family, society, etc.) to keep silent.

Betrayal Blindness is an inordinate condition where you bury the trauma in the subconscious of your soul.

This can also lead to numerous other physical and mental health symptoms and disorders.

Prov 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.”

Prov 17:22, “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones.”

Habakkuk 3:16, “I heard and my inward parts trembled, at the sound my lips quivered. Decay enters my bones, and in my place I tremble. Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress.”

The subconscious is the place for storage of impressions, thoughts, and emotions which do not exist in the conscious mind or in the emotions.

It affects thoughts, feelings, and behavior without entering into one's awareness.

It collects all the poison / garbage of your heart (right lobe).

The result is a clouding of the conscious mind, where the individual is either only partially or not aware at all, of what is really going on.

12. Six Steps for Recovery of Betrayal.

Step #1 — Awareness You cannot change the circumstances surrounding betrayal until you have recognized a betrayal has taken place. Mat 7:17; 10:17; 16:6; Luke 12:15; Phil 3:2; 2 Tim 3:1-10: 4:15

Mat 7:15, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves.”

Step #2 — Acceptance When grief is followed to its completion, acknowledge- ment and acceptance of one’s reality is a comforting result. Psa 33:22; Phil 4:11-13; 1 Thes 4:13.

1 Thes 4:13, “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope.”

Psa 33:22, “Let Your lovingkindness, O LORD, be upon us, according as we have hoped in You.”

Step #3 — Action One must act, not react, by choosing to continue or end the relationship, setting reasonable limits, safely confronting the issues, and taking the risk to make life better. 2 Cor 6:15-17; 10:5, 7.

2 Cor 10:5, “We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”

Step #4 — Authorization Permission to move forward, by establishing the proper doctrines in your soul, applying the 10 PSD's, and learning to trust in your decision making again. 1 Cor 6:12; 7:35; 10:23; Phil 4:13; 1 Peter 4:19.

1 Cor 7:37, “But he who stands firm in his heart, being under no constraint, but has authority over his own will, and has decided this in his own heart…”

1 Peter 4:19, “Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.”

1 Cor 6:12, “All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.”

Step #5 — Accountability Hold yourself accountable for the part played in the betrayal, if any at all, and give proper ownership to the betrayer.

Take the obsessive searchlight off the other person and focus on yourself.

Visualize beyond the past and look with hope into the possibilities of the future, by forgiving the betrayer. Ezra 10:4; Psa 27:3; 49:5; Luke 6:41-45; Gal 6:5; 1 Pet 3:14-17; 1 John 4:8.

Ezra 10:4, “Arise! For this matter is your responsibility, but we will be with you; be courageous and act.”

Gal 6:5, “For each one will bear his own load.”

Psa 27:3, “Though a host encamp against me, my heart will not fear; though war arise against me, in spite of this I shall be confident.”

Step #6 — Advancement Visualizing life with a set of fresh goals and a trust in God, creates confidence and courage. Healing occurs as you reach out to serve and help others in need. Phil 3:13-16

Grace Fellowship Church Thursday, October 16, 2008 Tape # Betrayal, Pt 22 Upper Room Discourse, Pt 216 John 13:18; 2 Cor 10:5-7; Phil 3:13-16 John 13:18; 2 Cor 10:5-7; Phil 3:13-16 James H. Rickard Bible Ministries 2008