Faith, Trust and Pixie Dust

December 27, 2015

Faith and Trust are two unseen values that most of hold dear. While they seem like perfect synonyms faith is built out of trust and not the other way around. I talked on faith in a previous post that you can read here, but lets focus on trust today. Trust is not built in a day but seems to diminish in an instant. Trust is built through an individual’s character witnessed over time, or a reliable instrument that has shown value in our lives. Trust is an interesting thing in this regard, since it to gain is focused on the person or thing that you are putting trust in but lost through perspective and observations made by others. In fact it seems as though most of the values that we hold so dear in our life tend to slip away when we are not will or feel obligated to due the hard work need to verify these things for ourselves. So often we put our trust in the new and exciting that then changes our perspective on what we once knew. The larger question could be what happens to our faith when we lose trust, since trust led us to faith? Could it be that our faith is in jeopardy because of our lackadaisical view on our everyday walk with Christ? The journey that we have before us is not an easy one; it is filled with trials and pain but also anointed with excitement and joy. While faith and trust should never be the focal point of this journey they are the tools that help us along the way. Our perspectives of tools help shape the person we will become on this journey. So again we come down to it, are you willing to put in the hard work? How can we best prepare for this journey of the everyday and how can we protect our trust?

What are you putting your trust in?

Remember the only perfect thing in this world is God and even as smart as we are today we will never fully understand His ways. So if your trust is based on your vantage point you may find yourself disappointed. People are people and they will let you down however just as you have let people down, give grace to others as you would like to have it. Your trust must be put in God first!

What happens when your misplaced trust is lost?

When we come into any type of relationship we bring our expectations of what that relationship is going to look like. Most of the time our expectations are not clearly communicated and so others are left operating off of the expectations that they have brought into the relationship. This is why we need to change our perspective! With imperfect people come imperfect relationship goals, a perfect God brings new perspectives to how any type of relationship should function. If both sides are operating from this ideal, than trust is no longer in the individual but in God Himself. So when trust is broken the question needs to be asked, whom were you putting your trust in?

Are you working towards the same thing?

Relationships are about working towards a common goal. That goal could be as simple as a project or as focused as building a life together. These goals become increasing harder to accomplish if our trust is bases solely on the other person. If both parties are believers and focused on putting trust in God then the attitudes at which we approach these goals should have a commonality. If this is not happening than time should be taken for a refocus.

Boundaries point toward direction, separation drives toward division!

As issues arrive and they always will, communication is crucial in the process! Boundaries and expectations help to clarify the vantage point of the relationship, but when communication stops and results in separation a common view is very difficult to arrive at. As you seek guidance from God and others in this area remember that God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow and if scripture doesn’t point to the direction you are being lead to it might not be the direction to go.

What are my next steps when I feel like trust is broken?

First is the other person a believer? If they are not, then your vantage points will never line up! Next examine your role in the situation, who was your trust in? If it was misplaced own it and fix it. A conversation needs to be started in a safe environment with a third party, if needed. Ask the question, was the other person out to do you harm? If no harm was intended set a course to move forward, chances are there was a breakdown of communication that can be easily resolved. If harm was intended boundaries should be set by a third party to ensure safety for all. Remember that trust can be easily lost in one person’s eyes but through forgiveness and a common focus in God it can be easily restored.

Search your heart!

The issue of trust can be a great escape to separate us from tough situations that we do not wish to face. Remember that these times can draw us closer to God and make us better followers of Him. Give to God what is His and own up to your own faults and decisions. Trust is others is never easy because it means that we have to give a piece of ourselves in the process. Remember that it was through trust in someone that allowed you to hear Christ’s message of forgiveness for the first time, how might you help others through this same way