Ouch!

We live in a world of hurt. It’s not always physical, sometimes it’s emotional. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s endured a bruised or broken heart. 

Perhaps you trusted someone who lied to you. Did you experience the mental pain of self-incrimination --- “How could I have been so foolish as to believe them?” 

People seem eager to trust what they read on the internet or on social media. News pours forth day and night, but who is vetting it? Trust in dating apps seems to vary, depending on who’s telling their story.    

Overall, trust is a valuable commodity. It causes us to believe in the reliability, truth, or strength of another person. Without trust, society does not move forward well. If someone breaks our trust, or doesn’t live up to our expectations, we are reluctant to trust again. 

Who do you trust? Have you realized how trust is a major player in your life? It’s how you build relationships in your family, among friends, in business, at church, or in politics. 

On the other hand, has someone put their trust in you for care, advice, guardianship, or investments? Consider it an honor and handle it wisely. 

Confidence is another word for trust. Con men are trust swindlers. But sometimes we con ourselves. Instead of taking time to let a person prove their reliability, we rush forward. An example might be how few of us bother to check out political candidates. It’s so easy to take them at face value. 

King Solomon had a word about trust: Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble (Proverbs 25:19 NIV). OUCH! Recovery requires both time and special care, by others and ourselves. 

Who is always worthy of trust? My answer is God, for two reasons out of many: (1) He does not lie (Titus 1:2); and (2) His words will never pass away (Matthew 24:35). 

David, as a shepherd boy, warrior, and king did many brave things, yet declared there were times of fear when he would put his trust in God (Psalm 56:3-4).

Hard times or not, who do you trust?