Trust - Part 1

Greetings! After a short hiatus, Dropped in My Spirit has returned with a discussion about Trust. Perhaps since I have spent considerable time in contemplation, developing my thoughts and communing with the Spirit, this blog is more lengthy than usual. I trust that this was purposeful and will be posting this session in a series format, beginning with Part 1 below – an introduction, overview, and questions for your consideration. The entire series consists of five parts, which will be posted weekly for the next four weeks following today’s initial post. It is my prayer that you will stay with me through this series on Trust and that you will find questions, concepts, suggestions, perspectives, etc. that will keep you tuned in and anticipating the next installment. Please note that this discussion hardly exhausts the subject matter. I invite you to add your comments, points of view and personal reflections and/or experiences. As always, feel free to share this blog with others and if you have not done so already, please subscribe to Dropped in My Spirit. Have a fabulously blessed day!

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Trust

When you think of the word trust how does it make you feel? What memories, images come to mind? What do you trust? What is the basis of that trust? Is there someone you could point to and say that you trust that person completely, without question? How did that level of trust develop in you? How are we engaging ourselves and others, implicitly and explicitly, when we trust? In contemplating these questions, I would ask that you consider your responses thoughtfully and prayerfully. At the onset, I might suggest that our complete trust should be placed in our Lord exclusively. Is it possible to equate the trust that we have for others with the trust that we should have for God? Trusting within certain frameworks can appear difficult. I know how challenging it can be to trust when confidence has been reduced to a quivering mass. When your heart feels like it is flopping around on the pavement like a fish out of water, trust can be an unattainable construct.

Intro

What is “trust”? Is trust a given or is it earned? When given is it for the moment, or forever? What do we expect when we put our trust in another human being? What factors lead to broken trust? Is there life after broken trust? We all fundamentally exist and live within a worldly experience that many times dominates our spiritual nature. Based on our collective worldly disposition, anyone we might choose to trust is not infallible, devoid of self-interest or completely trustworthy – not the best environment in which to examine trusting relationships. Let us consider that with trust, many times, we make assumptions about the other party. When we chose to trust others, we might presume that the other party is aware of our expectations and will not disappoint. In most cases, we create a bond of confidence that says no matter what, this person will be unfailingly trustworthy – dependable, reliable, supportive, and truthful. Who does that???

Definition

Starting with textbook definitions, when used as a verb, an action or activity, the dictionary defines trust as, [to] believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of. When used in the context of a noun trust is defined as, firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. The trust that we operate within in a practical sense is not as clear-cut. We start with these foundational principles and impose our own individual concepts of what trust is and what it is not. Our own definitions are developed from a lifetime of experiences that define this concept within our unique perceptions. Like many things in life, our viewpoint is personal. We cannot define trust for someone else any more than others can define it for us. What we can do is take a closer look at how trust is developed and the impact our expectations and responses might have on our relationships.

Next Installment: Part 2 - Background, Relationship

Prayer

Dear Lord, we thank you for being an ever-present source of strength and wisdom. We ask that you help us to understand and embrace the concept of trust in ways that will help us to be more trusting and trustworthy. Amen.