I have trained myself to see the good in people. Even when the good does not exist. I am stubborn and will keep looking for that glimmer. Good has to be found for my little world to make sense.

That is why my little world shook when I read the verse below:

“Then one of the Twelve the one called Judas Iscariot WENT to the chief priests and ASKED, ‘What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him (Jesus) over to you?“ Matthew 26:14-15

How many times have I read the book of Matthew? Read these very words? But never actually READ it? I have read the above verse with my own bias for years. Granted it was a ‘good’ bias. I was giving Judas a free pass. In my version, the chief priests approached Judas in a moment of weakness, and bullied him into betraying Jesus. Obviously, I am quiet the storyteller! Scripture clearly refutes my long held goodness bias.

Judas betrayed Jesus. In my little world, a friend would NEVER seek out an opportunity to betray another friend. Jesus was a friend Judas had spent every day with for three years. Judas saw the true heart and love Jesus had for everyone first hand. Consider my bias shattered with two words… JUDAS… WENT.

What do you do after a betrayal of this magnitude?

Jesus said:

“…But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

Matthew 5:44
Forgiveness starts long before any wrongdoing has transpired.  We need to recognize the hard people in our life and set up boundaries. We need to assume good intent. We need to love more like Jesus. Mamas, pray for the people in your life that are hard to love.  Forgiveness is essential. It frees us and breaks our chains of bitterness.

Mamas, I am grateful for my goodness bias. I would rather give benefit of the doubt when none exists, than live my life bitter. You are going to have many opportunities in your grief journey when you are let down by friends and family…. PRAY. PROTECT YOURSELF. LOVE.