The Fear of Trusting Others

The Fear of Trusting the Other: what the Bible has to say about it

In our daily lives, we are often led to trust others: friends, family, colleagues... However, it's not uncommon to feel mistrust or even fear towards others, especially if we've been deceived or betrayed in the past. Yet trust is an essential value in our relationships with others. So how do we manage to trust the other person despite our fears?

And what does the Bible have to say on the subject? In this article, we'll explore some ideas for learning to trust others better, based on the teachings of the Word of Grace.

First of all, trusting another person is a choice. This means that we have the ability to decide whether or not to trust someone, and that it doesn't depend solely on our feelings or emotions. It's important to keep this in mind, because it implies that even if we've been deceived in the past, it doesn't mean that all future people will be equally dishonest. The Bible actually encourages us to trust others, in Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Know him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. In other words, it's essential that we be able to trust others, but also to place our trust in God to guide us in our relationships with others.

Secondly, to better trust others, it's important to understand that nobody is perfect. We all have flaws and weaknesses, and that includes other people. If we're constantly looking for perfection in others, we risk never being satisfied and never being able to trust them. So it's important to recognize these limitations and strive to accept others as they are. This doesn't mean that we should turn a blind eye to dishonest behavior, but rather that we should be able to grant it a degree of indulgence. As Jesus said in Matthew 7:3, "Why do you see the mote that is in your brother's eye, and do not notice the beam that is in your own eye?" We must therefore be ready to look beyond the imperfections of others, while remaining vigilant.

Clear communication with others is also essential to building trust. This means being honest and transparent in our interactions with others, and not hiding or concealing anything. If we have doubts or concerns about someone, it's important to talk to them directly, without going through intermediaries or rumors. Communication is an essential key to establishing a relationship of trust, and this implies that we also listen to others when they share their own fears or concerns with us. As we are reminded James 1:19, "Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger".

Finally, if we are to be more trusting of others, it's important to rely on our faith in God, and in particular on our relationship of trust with Him. Indeed, if we are aware that God is faithful and will never abandon us, this can help us to be more confident in our relationships with others. As we are reminded Proverbs 29:25, "the fear of men lays a snare, but he who trusts in the Lord is protected". By trusting God, we can also learn to let go of our fears and worries, and focus on the values and qualities of the people in front of us.

Trusting others isn't always easy, but it's a choice we can make to build quality relationships. The Bible encourages us to trust others, while relying on our faith in God to guide us in this process.

We must also be ready to accept others' limits, communicate clearly and accept indulgence for them.

By keeping these elements in mind, we can learn to better trust others and build mutually enriching relationships of trust and friendship.

Shalom!