THE DEATH OF TRUST

            I had a conversation yesterday that caused me to reflect upon the increasing lack of trust in our world. People no longer trust the government to do what is best for the country. People are skeptical about what they read in the newspaper or hear on the news. This lack of trust saddens me because it is eroding our sense of community on all levels.

           

            When there is a lack of trust, people live in a constant state of fear. They begin to believe that there are malevolent forces at work seeking to harm them. They become suspicious and closed to others. They seek out only those who agree with them and then together they reinforce their particular brand of paranoia. We see this with political parties, social action groups, even neighborhood associations.

            I don’t believe that Jesus wants us to live our lives in fear and mistrust. One of the things that he told his disciples over and over again was “do not be afraid.” So how do we respond to a world that has a trust deficit?

            Be sure that we are trusting in the right things. In this world, people and institutions are going to disappoint us. If we experience this too often, our ability to trust is diminished. We need a trustworthy foundation from which we can face the disappointments of the world. Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us the key to being a trusting person.  Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. When we put our trust in the Lord, we can be sure that he will lead us in the right direction. He will give us the proper perspective on the situations that we face.

            Refuse to live in fear. There are so many things that can cause us to be afraid. When we give in to fear, we let go of faith. Jesus was very clear that, even though we will face difficult situations in life, we don’t have to live in fear. "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV) As followers of Christ, we must do our part to demonstrate and work toward godly values and outcomes. But we also must recognize that we are not in control. When things don’t go the way we want them to go, instead of retreating into fear, we need to seek to redeem the situation for Christ. Remember that the Church has had its greatest impact on the world when it has had the least worldly power and influence.

            Resist Satan’s attempts to immobilize you. I was deeply distressed the other day when someone shared with me their latest doomsday scenario. I found myself moving toward self-preservation and isolationism. Then it dawned on me that I was playing right into Satan’s hands. Satan wants us to be distracted by things that have nothing to do with the Gospel. If he can get us to spend our energy on the latest conspiracy, then he keeps us from being the body of Christ in our world. Remember that Satan is looking for any opportunity to make us ineffective. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV) We need to take our stand for Christ and not against other things. Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7 (NIV)

            Let me suggest positive steps we can take to counteract the loss of trust.

- Take a positive, proactive approach to our world. Rather than follow the trail of mistrust, seek to live at peace with everyone. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17-18 (NIV)

- Pray for those who are in authority that God’s authority would reign in their lives and decisions. I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-- for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV)

- Put your trust fully in Christ; focusing your life on serving Him, rather than worrying about the future.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Matthew 6:25-34 (NIV)

            Trust is at the very heart of our relationship with Christ. When we give in to the current trend of mistrust we unwittingly undercut our ability to have faith in Christ. There is no doubt that there are untrustworthy people and institutions in our world. But we do not have to become cynical, skeptical people. We can still live lives of trust, because our trust is in the Lord!