There are times that we have lost trust in someone we love or respect and times that we ourselves have done things to lose the trust of someone we care for. Broken trust can scar us and can scar others, deeply–all the more important it is to trust in God. We must understand that trust is not something that is gained automatically. Trust is earned. However, trust can be lost in a swift moment.
A Hebrew word that is closely related to trust is “chasah” [khaw-saw]. It has a primary meaning of “seeking refuge”, but it has the underlying meaning of “putting ones trust in” something. Part of trusting God is allowing Him to be our refuge, someone we can go to when we are “scarred” and find refuge from the pain.
Proverbs 30:5 (TNIV)
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge [chasah] in him.
In all of our relationships, trust is important. Especially in intimate relationships like marriage, friendships, and business relationships. Always–actions speak louder than words. Words are one thing, but actions reverberate with who we really are. Words can create division, but actions can build trust. Words can articulate the truth, but actions show the living Jesus in our hearts!
It is important for us to take the time to build trust in our relationships and to always be on our guard not to break the trust we are building.
If you struggle with doing the things that build trust in relationships (always being truthful, honest, loving, humble and kind), remember that Jesus left with us a helper, the Holy Spirit to help give us strength when we are tempted to fall. Trust in Jesus, know His wisdom and apply it to your life, ask Him for strength when you are tempted to fall. Actions reverberate with who we really are!
Ephesians 4:25 (TNIV)
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.John 14:1 (TNIV, Jesus is speaking to the disciples and says)
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.
The theologian, Bruce Barton, shared this, “Jesus’ solution for troubled hearts requires us to trust in him. Trust does not mean pretending we are strong; it means recognizing our weakness and need for God’s help.”
Then in John 14:15-17, Jesus says:
“If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever– 17 the Spirit of truth.”
Here is something I find interesting. As I have talked to many people, there are times that they have a hard time understanding many spiritual aspects of the Holy Spirit (The Spirit of truth). I often ponder how best to explain the Spirit in a way that is relevant and understood today. Because of the nature of the Holy Spirit (invisible, not working within the norms of our human reality) , I believe that that this is a hard thing to grasp. I found three factor’s (again, from Bruce Barton) that prevent people’s understanding the Holy Spirit until after they come to understand a relationship with Jesus:
— The Holy Spirit speaks a heavenly message (the words of Christ). His message of service, sacrifice, and faith is unintelligible to those who have not yet known Christ.
— The Holy Spirit reverses one’s way of thinking. People naturally place themselves at the center of everything. The Holy Spirit places Christ and his purposes at the center.
— The Holy Spirit begins with a different starting point. People tend to refer to their own needs and desires first. The Holy Spirit makes the love for Christ and obedience to God the starting point.
As we learn to trust in Jesus, and as we begin to understand “trust” and the implications of a “broken trust”, I believe that we are given strength every day through the Holy Spirit. May Jesus be your “chasah”, your refuge daily in life and may you not only learn to trust, but may you be a person of trust.
