Elul 29 Love always trusts/puts faith in
Love believes the best in people. It expects others will choose to behave with integrity and have high standards. It trusts that others will follow through on their word. God’s standard is excellence and He is constantly encouraging us to reach for our highest potential with the help of the Holy Spirit. Because we aim to please Him and thank Him for all He has done with our response, we strive to reach His goals for our lives. I see this in children whose parents expect the best and when their kids fall short they come alongside to help them attain the goal and only discipline as necessary to keep the child from harm.
An atmosphere of trust is essential for a healthy relationship. When trust is broken a relationship is hindered greatly. We must be open to trust again if the other person is repentant and willing to put out the effort needed to make the changes. Trust gives people a 2nd and 3rd and 70th chance when they repent. Forgive them 70x7! Trust assumes that if they are truly trying, they will progress in their quest. Trust overlooks small failures and presses forward to encourage growth.
Love and trust are not stupid nor blind. Trust is not warranted when deception and lack of integrity are present. Trust is given until it is proven it is not warranted. It believes the best until proven otherwise.
Trusting God should come easily as He is faithful to watch that HIs Word is performed. He makes many promises to guard and protect us and to use things for our good. And yet our life experiences with untrustworthy people often overshadow our ability to easily trust God. Our sin nature likes to pridefully believe we can manage and control our situations and ourselves. We find it hard to comprehend unconditional love. Total forgiveness is another concept that is hard to internalize.
Sad is the soul who wearies itself with constant suspicion and distrust...who is just waiting for the shoe to drop. This lowers our view of others and puts them constantly on trial. It is like sentencing a person to a crime before you hear their testimony. Love bears all things can be seen in the phrase, “Innocent until proven guilty.”
What are your issues with trust? What past hurt and wounds are causing areas of mistrust in your relationship with God and/or others? In what area(s) is God asking you to trust Him more? Are there untrustworthy people in your life that you need to deal with?
Follow the season of Teshuvah during this Month of Elul with Guest blogger Denise Dee Lytle Gibbs who originally posted these blogs on her Facebook page Fall Feast Prayer Initiative.