1 Samuel 30:6 David was greatly distressed because the men were talking of stoning him; each one was bitter in spirit because of his sons and daughters. But David found strength in the Lord his God.
“The saddest thing about betrayal is that it never comes from your enemies, it comes from friends and loved ones.”
Bitter betrayal of friends and family can distress and lead to depression. When we are backstabbed by those whom we loved and cared for it can leave us hyperventilating and hyper-vigilant. The brain will experience survival-level threats. Bitter betrayal induces an extreme level of caution activating the ‘threat center of the brain’. The brain stays at a high level of alert assuming that danger is coming and is convinced that the safest thing to do is to activate hypervigilance. Hypervigilance keeps us in a panic mode and makes us extremely anxious resulting in hyperventilation/anxiety. Constant hyperventilation of extreme anxiety will cause hyperacidity causing discomfort in the stomach, loss of appetite and heartburn.
David’s best friends turned against him when they were distraught about their family. David and his 600 mighty men were in the battlefield while the Amalekites raided their homes, looted their possessions and abducted the women and children. So David and his men wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep (vs 4). In their despondency, they turned against their friend, leader and future king David. These combat companions were the outcasts of society. All those who were in distress or in debt or discontented gathered around David, and he became their leader (1 Samuel 22:2). David accepted them, coached and trained them to become mighty warriors, yet these friends turned into enemies under crucible circumstances.
What do we do when companions turn into adversaries?
1. Hypervigilance: The natural reaction is to go to an extreme hypervigilance alert mode and isolate ourselves from people, But David found strength in the Lord his God (vs 6b). Hyperventilation will detach us from feelings and emotions. We will push people away by our reactions and responses. Do what David did. He chose “joy” as his emotion even in distress and betrayal.
2. Hyperventilate: Extreme anxiousness will make us stressful, bitter and furious. It will also inject low-self esteem, insecurity and suspicion about any new connections. David knew that his battle was not with flesh and blood. He knew that his enemies were not the friends who were plotting to stone him but the demonic forces of rage and violence. Hence, he took it to the Lord and strengthened himself in divine understanding and love. He chose not to hate those who betrayed him but fight for his family and the offspring of the distressed friends.
3. Hyperacidity: Hyperacidity is a condition in which the level of acid in the gastric juices is excessive, causing discomfort. If we allow bitterness to grow against the betrayers soon our attitude, tongue and even our thoughts will become acidic and astringent. David chose not to show any remorse against the infantilism of his subordinates and soldiers.
When distressed by betrayal, strengthen yourself in the Lord.
1 Samuel 30:18a David recovered everything the Amalekites had taken.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, ingrain in my heart that my battle is not with people but against the spirit of betrayal, hatred and rage. Strengthen me to forgive and bless those who betray me. Amen
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