Trust Issues

This morning, Andy Stanley spoke on developing trust between yourself and other people, which can impact families (especially marriages) and work relationships.

He talked about the huge gap that exists between expectations and experience and the idea that we have a choice of two ways of filling that gap; we can either:

• assume the worst, or
• believe the best

The message text was based on the very familiar passage in I Cor. 13, especially verse 7:

^NLT Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

^TNIV It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Andy said that when you’re at a crossroads, even in the most difficult relationships, that the way to go is to bend.

Here are some practical ways to live that out:

1. When there is a gap between what I expected and what I experienced I am going to believe the best
2. When other people assume the worst about you I will come to your defense
3. If what I experience begins to erode my trust, I will come directly to you.
4. When I’m convinced I will not be available to come through on a promise, I will inform you ahead of time
5. When you confront me about the gaps I’ve created, I will tell you the truth.