Someone posed a question recently asking how we can learn to trust people. The answer may or may not seem obvious since we each see things in different ways. Here are some of my thoughts about trust.
First you must trust God, and then you must trust that God will take care of you no matter what people do.
In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? -Psalm 56:11
He who deals wisely and heeds God's word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord -- happy, blessed, and fortunate is he. -Proverbs 16:20
Second, you must be trustworthy yourself. Can you be trusted? Only you know the true answer to that question. If you can be trusted, then you may find it easier to believe that others can be trusted. If you cannot be trusted, then, by nature, you may be skeptical of others.
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden. -Proverbs 11:13
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? -Luke 16:10-12
Third, remember that not everyone is the same. If anyone has shown themselves to be untrustworthy, do not punish other people by not giving them your trust. In other words, do not not trust person B because of person A's mistake(s).
What, you may ask, about person A? How can you rebuild trust in them? This one may not be more difficult, yet it can be done. You need to forgive the person because you will not be able to move forward if, in your heart, you are clinging to a grudge. That is not to say that you need to forget whatever happened because we can learn and grow wiser from others' mistakes and our own.
Go to the person and talk about whatever happened with them. Be honest, yet be fair in what you say. You may be amazed at what can be accomplished with talking.
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. -Matthew 18:15-17
Fourth, look back at the first.
A friend from our Life Group pointed out a quote that said that people will trust a chair more than they will trust God. In reality, though, God is our support in this life.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13
Was that helpful? ♥
First you must trust God, and then you must trust that God will take care of you no matter what people do.
In God have I put my trust and confident reliance; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me? -Psalm 56:11
He who deals wisely and heeds God's word and counsel shall find good, and whoever leans on, trusts in, and is confident in the Lord -- happy, blessed, and fortunate is he. -Proverbs 16:20
Second, you must be trustworthy yourself. Can you be trusted? Only you know the true answer to that question. If you can be trusted, then you may find it easier to believe that others can be trusted. If you cannot be trusted, then, by nature, you may be skeptical of others.
He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy and faithful in spirit keeps the matter hidden. -Proverbs 11:13
Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else's property, who will give you property of your own? -Luke 16:10-12
Third, remember that not everyone is the same. If anyone has shown themselves to be untrustworthy, do not punish other people by not giving them your trust. In other words, do not not trust person B because of person A's mistake(s).
What, you may ask, about person A? How can you rebuild trust in them? This one may not be more difficult, yet it can be done. You need to forgive the person because you will not be able to move forward if, in your heart, you are clinging to a grudge. That is not to say that you need to forget whatever happened because we can learn and grow wiser from others' mistakes and our own.
Go to the person and talk about whatever happened with them. Be honest, yet be fair in what you say. You may be amazed at what can be accomplished with talking.
If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. -Matthew 18:15-17
Fourth, look back at the first.
A friend from our Life Group pointed out a quote that said that people will trust a chair more than they will trust God. In reality, though, God is our support in this life.
I can do everything through him who gives me strength. -Philippians 4:13
Was that helpful? ♥
Thanks so much for this very insightful post! I found it very informative and will ponder these things about trusting people. I tend to "over" trust people, I think, even though I've been the victim of untrustworthiness so much in my lifetime (which is quite a few years). And it's very hard to trust, when you've been treated otherwise. I am such a trustworthy person, myself, I guess I expect other people to be the same, however, they aren't as has been proven. There are many things to weigh before you know you can really trust someone! The scriptures you have posted are very "real" and founded. I trust God totally. I have a few people who I am positive I can trust. If I'm faced with any doubts about trusting someone, I do pray about it and ask God to help me know whether it is wise for me to trust someone.
ReplyDeleteYa' know, the scriptures, prayer, and God are the best resources for anything!
He's brought me out of SO MUCH in my life! How can I not believe in Him and His infinite power and wisdom.
God is Good!
Freida ;-)
Freida..."Like."
ReplyDeleteTrust God! That is the answer to all of our fears, stress, anxiety, second guesses, and questions.
ReplyDelete