Perhaps you’ve experienced someone pouring out their pain over a past or present indiscretion. Some reasons may include someone who does a lot of talking just to hear themselves talk, others who don’t know how else to deal with the guilt of what they’ve done or said, or someone who simply puts enough confidence in you to share their pain. I realize there may be other reasons, but those are the ones with which I’ve been most acquainted. Not to be forgotten, either, is the fact that we may also have been or currently are the one sharing our pain with a trusted friend. In either case, the matter of trust is what makes all the difference in the outcome.
Right from the start, however, I need to say that discernment is essential in deciding whether some information warrants contacting the law or other emergency personnel in order to prevent danger or harm to others. That’s crucial and, in reality, another manifestation of love in action.
Moving beyond the caution I’ve just noted, I read something attributed to George MacDonald: “To be trusted is a better compliment than to be loved.”
Another quote, one for which I could not find the name of the person who said it, reads: “Never take anyone for granted, especially the one who put trust on you. Just consider yourself blessed to actually have someone that trusts you.”
In Proverbs Solomon puts out this warning (Proverbs 17:9): “He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates the best of friends.” In another instance he’s even more explicit: “Hatred stirs up strife but love covers all sins.” (10:12).
Centuries later, Peter wrote: “Above all, keep your love for one another fervent because love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
Always be worthy of trust!
