I read a verse this morning that prompted some thought on faithfulness and being found trustworthy.
“When arguing with your neighbor, don’t betray another person’s secret. Others may accuse you of gossip, and you will never regain your good reputation.” -Proverbs 25:9-10
My guess is that, at some time or another, all of us have experienced this. Either on the receiving end, or we have been the one to share private information in the heat of the moment. It’s no surprise that neither end of this scenario feels good or ends well.
Are you the type of person that is trusted with the secrets of others?
If so, you know that the privilege of guarding one’s most inner truths, struggles and pains is a very tender and sensitive task. Like described in Proverbs 25:10, one missed step while carrying someone’s trust can lose that trust, and the future trust of others, forever. So what makes you trustworthy? Why do people trust you? What have you demonstrated that has earned you the right to be trusted?
Is the trustworthy person I’m describing something that you are not familiar with? Maybe, for whatever reason, people don’t entrust you with personal details? Or perhaps you’ve had trust broken and simply don’t see trustworthy people around you? Why? Why don’t people come to you when they are in times of need? Why is it that you cannot find trustworthy people around you? What kind of people are you surrounding yourself with? Are your friends and family influencing, shaping and decreasing your likelihood of being found trustworthy?
One thing I have learned is that
“if you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be hoest with greater responsibilities.” -Luke 16:10
My challenge to you is to claim one area of your life in which you are going to be faithful in.
It may be simple, such as “I’m not going to lie about my weight” or “I’m going to be faithful to myself in following through on the workout plans I established during last year’s New Year’s resolution.” It doesn’t need to be, “I’m never going to exaggerate or lie again.” I think that this will come in time. But, especially if you know this to be an area of struggle, start small.
Garner little victories and take baby-steps in being faithful to yourself. I promise that if you believe yourself and are faithful to the small promises you make to yourself, you will soon be found trustworthy with larger responsibilities and the honor of the secrets of others — and may you soon be found worthy of holding God’s secrets, that He might entrust you with Kingdom responsibility and the Father Heart of God towards His children.