Comments on: weekend thought: follow up on “should trust be earned?”

By: sheri

sheri — Tue, 06 May 2008 20:44:17 +0000

I’ve thought a lot about trust in my life. I’ve been hurt and hurt deeply.It left me with a choice to make – to trust or not to trust. I learned to trust God; He is the foundation on which I build relationships. Even if I’m hurt again, I can handle it because my foundation is strong. With that mindset I give others the benefit of the doubt, have the strength to forgive, and love in spite of inperfections.That’s what I’ve learned.

By: Anne Jackson

Anne Jackson — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:49:43 +0000

Nancy,

The Bible clearly says to not put your trust IN someone, but the verse in 1 Corinthians says to trust (assume the best) of others.

I think there is a big difference between putting your trust IN something or someone and trusting them. By putting our trust IN God, we are able to assume the best of others.

Tom,

The Bible also says to be wise. This passage isn’t telling us to be gullible or stupid. In context it means to not give doubt when there is no reason. When there is reason, to hope for God’s redemption.

By: Nancy

Nancy — Mon, 05 May 2008 18:40:46 +0000

I can’t find very much in the Bible that instructs me to trust other human beings. Most of the scriptures I find relating to that say just don’t do it. It does, however, tell me to trust in God.

A personal experience: My husband agreed to help a stranger in apparent need. The man asked if my husband wanted to go in to the hotel and pay the desk clerk himself instead of just handing him(the one in need) the money. My husband’s response, “I have no reason not to trust you.” And he was right. The stranger had never done anything to cause my husband to distrust him. My husband had to trust God that what he did in response to the need would somehow, some way, some day, glorify God.

I think we get tripped up over believing we NEED that trust in and from other human beings.

It’s one of those things I have to let God do.

By: Jan Owen

Jan Owen — Mon, 05 May 2008 14:17:05 +0000

I think we obviously need to use wisdom but sometimes we come into relationships being very cynical and even bitter – I’ve done it many times. I think that is when my past bleeds over into my present and probably my future and hurts those around me. But obviously in situations God gives us wisdom. If someone abuses a child then there are consequences to that. I hope that my prayer is still for redemption. I think I am learning to “own” my own baggage so I can not assume the worst about people.

By: Tom Becker

Tom Becker — Mon, 05 May 2008 05:48:47 +0000

Maybe this is an extreme example but how many of us would trust someone who has had a history of using guns to kill, in a room with one of our children, even though they say they are cured or over their problem of killing. I’m sorry I don’t see scripture telling us to trust mans heart but to trust God.

Just the first thing that came off the top of my head.