Rebuilding Broken Trust
Slow work, honest work.
On repair after someone was hurt.
The big idea
Forgiveness can be instant. Trust is rebuilt at the speed of consistency.
What does “Rebuilding Broken Trust” walk through?
Confess And Forsake
Proverbs 28:13 · KJV
He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.
In plain English
Whoever hides their sins will not do well, but whoever confesses and turns from them finds mercy.
Two Verbs, Not One
Mercy is attached to both confessing and forsaking. An apology that changes nothing is only the first half, and people can feel the difference.
Confess To One Another
James 5:16 · KJV
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
In plain English
Admit your faults to each other and pray for each other, so you can be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
“Trust is not granted by an apology. It is rebuilt by a pattern.”
Speak Truth
Ephesians 4:25 · KJV
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
In plain English
Stop lying. Tell your neighbour the truth, because we belong to each other.
Patience With The Timeline
If you broke it, you do not get to set the schedule for its repair. Accepting that is part of the repentance.
Faithful And Just
1 John 1:9 · KJV
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In plain English
If we admit our sins, he is faithful and just — he will forgive them and wash us clean.
Pray
God, make me honest, patient, and different. Amen.
Write it down
What repair have you been hoping words alone would finish?
Be consistent
Say it once. Then show it for a long time.
Which passages does this journey use?
4 passages, drawn from Proverbs 28:13, James 5:16, Ephesians 4:25, 1 John 1:9. Every verse appears here in the King James text with a plain-English line beside it, so you can read it without a commentary open. Allow about 7 minutes for the whole thing, or 8 short sittings.
- Proverbs 28:13
- James 5:16
- Ephesians 4:25
- 1 John 1:9
Read any of these in full on the complete KJV, or look the wording up independently at Blue Letter Bible.
More in Relationships
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You become the room you stand in.
When A Friendship Ends
Grief nobody throws you a funeral for.
Being The Only Christian In The Group
Faithful without being obnoxious.
Loving Your Siblings
The people you did not choose.
When Home Is Hard
For anyone whose house is not a refuge.
Honoring Parents You Disagree With
Respect that is not agreement.