By Tanya Jolliffe
Trust is so important yet hard for so many people. This is especially true when trust has been broken at one time or another. Trust is key to our emotional health because it is foundational to all our relationships. It is easy to understand the importance of trust within family dynamics, life partnerships, and work settings. In order to be your authentic self, you must be able to trust those you live and work with. But what about trusting your medical provider, the news media, or government agencies? Do we put these entities through the same “trust test” as we do those closest to us?
What is trust? Is it based on behaviors, actions, and words? Is it a belief in the odds that someone or something will act or respond in a certain way? Is it dependability? Is it a feeling or mental attitude that provides security or confidence in another? Is it based on an emotional response founded in a complex neural process grounded in experiences? Yes! Trust encompasses and relies on all of these to help us decide what or who is trustworthy.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines trust as both a noun and a verb. As a noun, it is defined as assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something. One in which confidence is placed. As a verb, it is defined as an act of relying on truthfulness or accuracy as in to believe. To place confidence in someone or something as in to rely on them. To hope or expect confidently. So, trust in someone or something requires assurance, truth, accuracy, reliance, confidence, hope, and belief. Is it any wonder that humans lose trust in one another? We are each so fallible and imperfect and the Lord knew that we would have to demonstrate our trustworthiness. “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” (Luke 16:10 NIV).
Thank goodness there is one we can trust completely because He is infallible and perfect. Someone that we can place all our hopes and beliefs on because they have our best interest as their priority. Someone that is truthful and reliable above all else.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal” (Isaiah 26: 3-4 NIV).
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV).
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you” Psalm 9:10 NIV).
“He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure” (Isaiah 33:6 NIV).
“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken” (Psalm 16:8 NIV).
“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will never be shaken” (Psalm 62:1-2 NIV).
“Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between his shoulders” (Deuteronomy 33:12 NIV).
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you” (Psalm 32:8 NIV).
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22 NIV)
“There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30-31 NIV).
While we all need family, friends, and co-workers around us that we can rely on and believe they share accurate truth, the Lord is trustworthy above all others. Where are you putting your trust and who are you listening to? Is it time to put your trust in the one that knows you best and loves you most? Is it time to get in His word and get to know just how trustworthy He is? It is never too late and there is no time like the present to get started.
