You can trust me. Yes, or absolutely. Thank you. I care about this. I trust your judgment. I understand. Tell me more. Yes, I see what you are saying. These are just some of the phrases that we say to let others know that we trust them and/or that we can be trusted.
How do we show others that we can be trusted? By our actions/behavior. If we tell someone that “you can trust me” and then do the complete opposite in our actions/behavior towards them, then we not not trustworthy. Trust is earned and should not be taken lightly.
“Trust is the glue to life. It’s the most essential ingredient in effective communication It’s the fundamental principle that holds all relationships.”–Stephen Covey
Merriam-Webster defines trust (n) as:
- assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
- dependence on something future or contingent: Hope (i.e. bought furniture on trust)
- a property interest held by one person for the benefit of another
- care, custody (i.e. the child committed to her trust)
- a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence as the condition of some relationship
The Word of God gives prime examples of a loving God who asks that we “trust Him” in all of our circumstances in life:
Jeremiah 17:7-8: “But blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream.” (NIV)
Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)
Psalm 143:8: “Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.” (NIV)
Psalm 91:1-2: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” (NIV)
Proverbs 29:25: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is kept safe.” (NIV)
Proverbs 16:20: “Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.” (NIV)
Psalm 56:3-4: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word, I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” (NIV)
Psalm 37:3: “Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” (NIV)
When I researched scriptures with the word “trust”, I was amazed at what a loving God we serve. He only asks that we trust him–to put our confidence in him–and believe that he will work “all things out for our good.” He asks that we “not doubt” his love for us.
In James 1:5-6 we are told that, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. BUT when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” (NIV) Doubting is not trusting.
If we find ourselves doubting God’s unfailing love, let us look at Isaiah 43:2-4 which states, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom; Cush and Seba in your stead. Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give men in exchange for you, and people in exchange for your life.” (NIV)
God promised the Israelites that he would be with them and that he was their only Saviour–that they were to put their trust in him alone–because He loved them and they were precious in His sight.
God loves us and wants us to put our trust in Him and to look to Him for strength and courage as we “pass through the rivers” in our life’s journey. Will you trust Him today?
Blessings,
Yvonne