What comes out of us under pressure often reveals what was already hiding within us.
Have you ever been cut off in traffic and suddenly felt anger rise up out of nowhere? Maybe someone spoke to you disrespectfully and something inside of you immediately wanted retaliation. Sometimes we surprise ourselves with what comes out when we are squeezed by life.
But sometimes it goes much deeper than a traffic incident.
Sometimes someone wounds you deeply. Someone lies about you, betrays your trust, abandons you, mistreats you, or uses your kindness against you. The pain is real, and the wrong done against you is legitimate. In those moments, something hidden inside of us is exposed. Bitterness, hatred, unforgiveness, pride, revenge, resentment, or even despair can suddenly come alive in ways we did not realize were there. The situation did not necessarily create those things. It revealed them. Trials have a way of uncovering what comfort conceals.
The betrayal of Judas is known throughout the world. His very name became synonymous with betrayal. Nobody wants a Judas in their life. Nobody wants to be wounded by someone they trusted. Yet when we look at the life of Jesus, we see something powerful: Judas did not stop the purpose of God. God used even betrayal as part of the process that would lead to the cross. Jesus knew what Judas was doing and called him friend.
What if sometimes our “Judas” becomes part of the process God uses to change us?
Not because betrayal is good. Not because evil is justified. Not because God approves of mistreatment. But because God is able to use painful situations to crucify things within us that need to die.
Sometimes our Judas reveals unforgiveness that must be surrendered. Sometimes the difficult coworker reveals pride. Sometimes the dishonest person reveals our lack of trust in God. Sometimes the offense reveals how much self still wants to sit on the throne of our heart.
Jesus did not just die for us; He also showed us how we are to die to ourselves.
Anyone can smile when life is easy. But when betrayal comes, when injustice comes, when offense comes, then the true condition of the heart begins to surface. That is where spiritual growth happens. That is where God begins refining us like gold in the fire.
This does not mean we celebrate evil or pretend pain does not hurt. Jesus Himself was grieved by betrayal. He was “a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.” Yet even while hanging on the cross, He said: “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” That kind of response is not natural. It is supernatural.
A painful situation can either make us bitter or make us more like Jesus. The difference is found in whether we surrender the pain to God or allow it to take root in our spirit.
Sometimes God allows exposure before deliverance. He lets the poison surface so He can remove it. What is revealed in us through hardship is often exactly what God wants to heal.
That is why Scripture says: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV) In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Notice it does not say to give thanks for every evil thing, but in every situation. We may not be thankful for betrayal, injustice, offense, or pain, but we can be thankful that God is still working through it all to shape us into the image of Christ.
Even Judas became part of the process that led to resurrection.
Perhaps the very thing meant to destroy you is being used by God to transform you.
Romans 8:28-29 KJV
28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son…
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