How to Build Trust in Your Friendships?

How to Build Trust in Your Friendships?

BOLA ADEOYE — MAY 17, 2016

“No one who gossips can be trusted ... but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy” (Proverbs 11:13 TEV).

Trust in a relationship is what makes the difference between an acquaintance and a friend. You talk to acquaintances, but you trust your friends.


You need at least one person in your life that can be a safe person for you, where you say, “I can share anything with that person. He’s not going to look at me crossways. She’s not going to reject me. He’s not going to dump me. She’s going to be there.” You need a safe person who you can share everything with — your fears, your doubts and insecurities.

It’s essential that what is said between you and that person remains confidential. And for you to be a safe person for someone else, you have to commit to confidentiality too.

The Bible says that you build trust in a friendship by keeping confidences: “No one who gossips can be trusted ... but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy” (Proverbs 11:13 TEV).

Do you have a safe person in your life? If not, pray about it and ask God to help you find someone you can trust enough to share your fears, your doubts and insecurities. And how about you? Are you ready to be a safe person for someone else? Talk to God about that and ask him to prepare you for helping someone else. You may not be ready yet, but he will prepare you as you follow his direction.


Talk It Over

Would your friends describe you as a trustworthy person? Why or why not?

What can you determine about the person who gossips to you?

How should you respond when someone initiates gossip with you?