Are people able to trust us?

Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust him. But Jesus didn’t trust them, because he knew all about people. No one needed to tell him about human nature, for he knew what was in each person’s heart. (John 2:23-24)

What does trusting people look like?

At times in my life, I have said aloud that I do not trust people, only God. In response, others have said things like, “We have the right to expect people to be worthy of our trust,” or “I should be able to trust my husband,” or “I trust my best friend.” Each of these responses is valid but not what I am trying to convey. I am not sure I can do so today either, but I am going to try.

Yes, I expect my children to be found worthy of my trust. Yes, I behave in a way that demonstrates trust in my husband. Yes, I trust my best friends.

But I also don’t trust people.

Instead, I trust God with people. The reason I can demonstrate trust in others is because if they let me down, I was ultimately always trusting God with the outcome of my decision to trust, not them. The person will probably be found faithful, but if not, God remains 100% faithful and meets all of my needs no matter what others do. Our worlds cannot be devastated with disappointment when our happiness and sense of trust was never hinged to another person’s ability to come through for us in the first place.

Does this mean people can’t trust us?

Like others, we will let people down, so I don’t think someone should trust us either! However, the portion of this week’s verses that got me thinking was this: Because of the miraculous signs Jesus did in Jerusalem at the Passover celebration, many began to trust him. (John 2:23)

If we have the character of Christ flowing through us as we mature in our relationship with God, then I am thinking people will also start to trust us like they started to trust Jesus. Of course we aren’t perfect like Christ was, but can the following be true?

I think this can be true. 

I think it is possible to be the type of person that rarely lets people down and is mostly a person of our word. I think it is possible to develop a reputation of doing what we said we would do and behaving with integrity.

How do we know if people are beginning to trust us?

When we mess up, which we will, pay attention to the most common response people have. Do they say things like, “I knew it!” or “Here we go again!”? Or do they say, “Wow, that’s unusual,” or “You never did that before,” or “I absolutely know that was just an honest mistake because you have proven yourself time-and-time-again to be consistently faithful.”

I do trust some people.

There are people in my life that I cannot trust. I can only trust God with them. But I also have some dear people I trust. They rarely let me down, mostly keep their word and have a reputation in the community for being people of integrity. Like some people began to trust Jesus, I began to trust them.

They have earned my trust.

When they mess up (which they have), my responses have no high emotion or deep disappointment because they are good people who live on purpose and simply made a mistake. And God — who never lets them or me down — sees us through. Forgiveness is offered quickly and easily, reconciliation occurs every time, and the relationship remains stable and enjoyable for all. These are the relational benefits of growing in our ability to reflect God’s nature to the world.

Just like we can trust God with people, people can trust God in us.

P.S. – As with all my posts, unless otherwise stated, application is for the broad spectrum of “normal,” not cases of addiction, abuse or trauma. This post is about normal life.

Picture Explanation: It’s prom season!

Speaking of trusting God with people:    

If you are interested in being contacted to participate in a One Gritty Blink Bible study in 2023, click on the Oaks Ministries link below and contact me by email. The next opportunity for a face-to-face study starts June 7. Let’s focus on things that count for eternity!

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Planting and Watering

I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes growth.

1 Corinthians 3:6

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