Over the years I’ve spent time with many leaders, families, offenders, the homeless, church members, and, of course, my own family observing relational dynamics. I have concluded that trust is not just important, it is the clearest indicator of health in any relationship or community.
Trust is about reliability and integrity. It is the confidence that someone will do what they say, that they care about our wellbeing, and that they can follow through. When trust is present, relationships feel light and life-giving. When it is missing, even small things become heavy and difficult.
Pause for a moment. Think about a time when someone regularly showed up late. What did that create for you? Extra planning. Frustration. A slow erosion of trust. I know this because I’ve been on both sides of that experience. This can happen in many different ways.
Our relationship with God is no different. When anxiety creeps in, it often reveals something deeper. A struggle to trust His faithfulness. The Psalms call us back again and again to trust. To believe that God is for us, that His promises are true, and that His timing is good.
Trust is built slowly through consistent action. It cannot be rushed or demanded. And when it breaks, forgiveness and trust are not the same. We can forgive quickly, but rebuilding trust takes time and evidence of change.
How trustworthy am I for others? Can they rely on me to do what I say I will, when I say I will– or do I create burdens for them by my unreliability. It might take a while to rebuild trust, but the best time to start is now.
Who do I have difficulty trusting– why? And what about my relationship with God– is it marked by anxiety and worry, or by a quiet trust.
Something to think about.
Adam
144 Sawyers Arms Road
Christchurch, New Zealand
+64 3 352 4227