Last week, I wrote that one of my words of the year is trust. In 2020, I am going to work towards trusting God with everything. Because God is trustworthy and because we are to emulate His character to the fullest possible extent, we are called to be trustworthy.
Ask yourself the question, “Am I trustworthy?” Can my friends trust me with their confidences? Do I deliver on my promises? Can my boss trust me to do a thorough job? Can others trust me to be there for them when I say I will be?
If others feel that you are trustworthy, they feel that they can depend on you and that they can count on your discretion. They feel like they can let their guard down without fear of being taken advantage of, or having their secrets broadcast all over town.
If we want others to take a risk on trusting us, we must take a risk on them first! Even though others will fail us at times, we can and should still trust people to varying degrees. We know that we can trust God and He will never fail us which makes us free to trust others.
Let’s talk about what we should do to be trustworthy.
Put others’ interests before our own
People are more likely to trust someone who they believe has their best interests at heart. As Christians, we are expected to care for the practical needs of others and put their interests before our own.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4
Respect others.
Trustworthy people respect others. They believe that respect should be given to every human being, as we are all children of God. And they don’t resort to behaviors such as intimidation or humiliation which show disrespect to others.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
Keep confidences. Trustworthy people keep confidences. If someone tells them something privately, they do not share this information with others.
“Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.” Proverbs 3:29
Don’t gossip. Trustworthy people don’t gossip and talk negatively about others behind their backs.
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13
Apologize. Trustworthy people admit and apologize for wrongs.
“Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16
Be predictable. Trustworthy people are predictable, and they don’t let their emotions get the best of them. They are even-keeled and able to control their emotions and behavior.
“Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.” Proverbs 25:13
Keep your word.
Trustworthy people keep their word. Jesus said that we are to be speakers of truth, and to speak this truth with love.
“Instead speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is Christ.” Ephesians 4:15
Be open-minded
Trustworthy people should listen to others and keep an open mind. They are open to other’s idea and perspectives, instead of being judgmental and critical.
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak.” James 1:19
I generally feel that I do a pretty good job of demonstrating the behaviors above. However, I can think of a recent circumstance where I fell short in keeping a confidence. I shared something with someone else that a friend had told me in confidence, thinking that the person I shared it with knew about it. I felt terrible and apologized profusely after it occurred. That said, we are all human and will likely fall short on occasion. But we can do the best we can and pray that God will help to make us into a person that others can rely on.
REFLECT
Do you think others think of you as trustworthy?
How
can you ensure that you are being dependable and trustworthy at work and in
your personal relationships?
