Trust is a foundation for every significant relationship. When the trust falls a part, here are some options:
repair it and confront the issue head on. Once a trust has been broken, start a conversation. Lay out the issues, forgive and ask for forgiveness. Trust typically takes time to build, so it's usually worth REbuilding.
repress it and pretend the breach never happened. This option isn't as bad as it sounds. When a trust is first broken, perhaps it's best to forgive without raising the issue. Perhaps change can happen without a confrontation. If the other person doesn't fix things, this can quickly become a horrible approach. When we constantly ignore a broken trust, we get bitter, and that's a poision that eventually leaks out. Scarasm, passive agression, rage….these are a few of the results of long term repression.
run from it and end the relationship. Some things can't be repaired, not on this side of Heaven. This isn't becasue God's power isn't enough, nothing is ever beyond redemption–but that doesn't mean that everything will be redeemed. There are times when a trust is broken, and us, them, or both don't have the maturity to choose the path necessary for restoration.
If you liked this article, forward it to a friend. Find Matt on Facebook HERE and Twitter HERE. Get great youth worker resources HERE. Request Matt to speak at your next event HERE.
Pingback: NOW WHAT? The options you face after a trust has broken