Wednesday, October 15, 2008


I was talking with a friend about “Trust” because he had been through an issue where his trust had been betrayed and it caused much and prolonged sorrow.
When we have been betrayed it can make it difficult to ever trust again in the same measure. So I began looking for some thoughts on trust that may be encouraging and useful to all. I began looking in a concordance for trust and ended up in Psalm 116. The scripture that stood out is 10 & 11 –
“I believed; therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.” And in my dismay I said, “All men are liars.”

I’m sure we can all relate to that sentiment. Shakespeare said it this way –

“Immortal gods, I crave no pelf;
I pray for no man but myself:
Grant I may never prove so fond,
To trust a man on his oath or bond;
Or a harlot, for her weeping;
Or a dog, that seems a sleeping;
Or my friends, if I should need ‘em.”

The problem with taking that course is we are social beings and isolation, which lack of trust causes, is despairing. I looked up some quotes on trust that display the opposite side –

“Better trust all, and be deceived
And weep that trust and that deceiving,
Than doubt one heart that if believed
Had blessed one’s life with true believing.” Frances Anne Kemble.

What a dilemma, and in the Psalm David takes his complaint and confusion to the Lord and only there finds peace. It also appears by the 18th verse that he has gained some trust back as he returns to the presence of the people in the Temple.
But this was not without much anguish of soul as he cries out in verse 3 – “The chords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “O Lord, save me!”
Christians all know that this heart cry always comes with an answer, but like the old gospel song, “He may not come when you want Him, but He’s always right on time.”

David finds solace and freedom in the Lord, a hope for us all but I’m reminded of some words of wisdom about trusting that I will end with.

“We are inclined to believe those whom we do not know, because they have never deceived us.” Samuel Johnson

And again –

“Trust not before you try,
For under cloak of great good-will
Doth feigned friendship lie.”
George Tuberville

Photo by Myrtepeert


11 comments:

Unknown said...

great pic

Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Fred :)

Every one says trust begets trust; but all of us have eperienced betrayal of trust at some point in our lives.

One of my bosses said: DON'T TRUST ANYBODY INCLUDING ME!

I saw a display in a shop which read: I TRUST IN GOD, REST IN CASH!

The quote by Samuel Johnson is quite close to the mark.

After all that is said and written we have to trust some people inspite of the risks involved.

Thanks for the illuminating post and the great photo!

Have a nice day :)

Dianna Wood said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mel said...

Great thought-provoking post!

Trust is one issue I don't wrestle with anymore, and I consider that a gift. I don't know for absolutely certain if it's by God's grace, or if it's sheer selfish lazy willful stupidity on my part. But honestly, I do believe it's by God's grace.

I can totally see the wisdom in what D.L. said, and I think it's full of pracital common sense. And I think everyone of every age, race, creed and gender should spend some honest time pondering these matters and seeking God's leading in sorting through them.

Dianna Wood said...
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FCB said...

Hi Eric,
Glad you like this picture, I see in it a look of mistrust, the match saying - "don't tread on me."

Hi Joseph,
Thanks for your comments and I agree with your conclusion, we must trust. But, that being said, I still find myself rushing trust too quickly. I think I may long for trusting relationships too much, so I jump into them too quickly. Makes the skin a little thicker and I have suffered many losses in my life so I am somewhat used to them.
God bless.


Hi D.L.,
Thank you for your comments as well, I like the way you lay them out in a practical manner. The rocket science part is the only thing I have reservations about, meaning, our emotional responses are unpredictable, and it complicates the whole affair. But the one quote I didn't put in this piece is the one you imply- "Trust......in the living God."
He alone is fully trustworthy.
God bless,
Fred

Hi Mel,
I'm sure it is a grace of God, and you are blessed indeed. And your recommendation to sort them out with God surely must be the only hope.
God bless,
Fred

Dianna Wood said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Joseph Pulikotil said...

Hi Fred :)

Please permit me to use your space to answer D.L.'s query regarding the photo you have posted.

The gorgeous person with the raven hair, sparkling blue eyes and without a blemish on the face looking straight at us as though challenging the burning match stick to burn her mouth.

She exibits immense trust, confidence and faith that no harm will be done by the flame. The photo only shows that the match stick is burning harmlessly. Whether her trust will be betrayed, only time will tell. May be a wind will blow and put out the flame.

A daring display of courage and trust!

I hope this will suffice for an answer and D.L. will be satisfied.

Have a good day :)

Unknown said...

As for the pic...well, she's hot.
Pun intended.

LOL...sorry, I crack myself up.

I'm not sure if anything was "conjured" up...that seems like a loaded statement. Personally my emotions were not included in my initial reaction to the picture. And I really didn't delve to deep into it either.

I just thought it was a picture that grabs you.

I think that is the power of images...they speak a thousand languages and messages.

Dianna Wood said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Ok...whether it be emotions, intellect, spirit, or sexuality...what is sinful about anything here?