The Importance of Building Trust
Trust is a significant part of any personal or business relationship; you can choose actions that build trust.
Each relationship is unique. Establishing trust in a relationship should have a firm footing in God’s Word. When God is void in any relationship, you leave space for the enemy to wreak havoc. Ephesians 6:11 directs the Believer to “put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (ESV).
Trust in a Nutshell
The basics of trust are the same in every type of relationship. In short, you should:
- Always tell the truth, even if it means you are alone in your decision.
- Be kind to people.
- Do what you say you’ll do.
- Keep your promises, and only make promises you know you can keep!
- Only take on what you’re capable of handling. Having boundaries is healthy!
- Recognize people by communicating your appreciation for them.
If you keep these essential principles in mind, you can build trust in any relationship. A good partnership has to have trust to exist. Whether you’re asking someone for a date or forming a new business venture, confidence in each other is vital for success.
Most People Are Trustworthy
Your gut feelings can overwhelm you, especially if you have a suspicious nature. Feelings of suspicion can suppress your ability to love in romantic relationships and conduct business effectively in business relationships.
Most people can generally be trusted. They can be great friends and partners if you allow them to demonstrate their trustworthiness.
Some people need a second chance, too. Everyone messes up at some point. We are fallible beings who are all prayerfully working toward sanctification. Whether that person deserves a second chance or not depends on several factors. You should always pray about the situation first, then go to the person and speak, in love. Has the person taken steps to rectify the breach of trust? What is the nature of your relationship? Sometimes people are unwilling to admit the truth; love them anyway, whether by continuing a relationship or by prayer outside of the relationship.
If you break someone’s trust, apologize quickly. Commit to rebuilding the trust. Then do whatever you can to make amends for your error and be sure that it doesn’t happen again.
The seriousness of the breach of trust depends on the perception of the person whose confidence was violated. If that’s you, whether that person is worth a second chance or not is something only you can decide. Trust is a serious issue, and it’s also very personal.
Look up the following verses:
Proverbs 11:13; Proverbs 10: 9; Titus 2: 7; Zechariah 8: 16-17; Luke 16: 10; Proverbs 28: 6; Proverbs 28: 26; Exodus 20: 16; Colossians 3: 9-10; Proverbs 6: 16-19; James 4: 7; Ephesians 4: 25; Proverbs 12: 22; Proverbs 12: 17; 1 Cor. 15: 33.
Commit today to keep your word and honor your promises. Trust determines your chances of success in every type of relationship you experience. Strive to be the kind of person that can always be counted on, and your relationships will thrive as a result.
“Say what you mean and mean what you say”.
Use your concordance to study trust in Psalms. List and categorize the verses that pertain to your situation. Pray over it, and keep in mind that we all fall short.
Until Next Time,
Shari
The Biblical Counselor 