By Ashley Powell, MSW, LISW-S ·
Trust Fall
Most of us played the game, “trust fall” when we were children. In this game you would close your eyes and fall backwards, while relying on someone to catch you before hitting the ground. It’s funny how a silly childhood game can become a frightening real-life scenario as we grow and evolve.
Trust is the glue that holds our relationships together. It's the foundation of every successful relationship, whether it's with a spouse, friend, family member, or coworker. Without trust,
even the strongest bonds can crumble and fall apart. In today's fast-paced world where we're constantly bombarded with information and distractions, building and maintaining trust has never been more important. News outlets, social media, and culture fills us with reasons to distrust the world around us.
There are different types of trust. Interpersonal trust exists between two people, and it forms the foundation for intimacy in relationships. In marriage counseling with couples, I often use Gottman’s “Sound Relationship House” model. Here, we learn that commitment and trust are the pillars that make our house stand. A marriage without trust is a house that cannot stand. Trust is built over time through communication, conversation, and shared experiences. Trust is tested through a variety of circumstances and challenges in even the best of relationships. It’s something that can take a long time to build but can be undone in a moment.
Other types of interpersonal trust can be developed over time through positive interactions with another person. Here, trust also requires communication, mutual respect, and shared goals and values. It also requires a willingness to be vulnerable with another person and to take risks.
A trusting bond provides us with closeness in our relationships and a sense of safety in life.
What about spiritual trust? Spiritual trust is faith.
During times when life feels like it's falling apart, it can be difficult to maintain faith in God. We might feel like He has abandoned us or isn't concerned about our struggles. However, it's important to remember that God is always present and never forsakes us. As a loving Father, He desires the best for His children and will assist us in navigating any obstacles that come our way. By trusting in Him and seeking His guidance, we'll find the strength and wisdom necessary to overcome any difficulties.
I’m reminded of Daniel in the Bible. Daniel quite literally fell into a pit. Daniel, a prophet of God challenges King Darius' command that the people should only pray to the Persian king for thirty days. Daniel, a law-abiding man, continues to pray to Israel's God as he always has. The men who provoked the decree in the first place to entrap Daniel, whom they were jealous of, report him to Darius. The king is obliged to place Daniel in a cave of lions, where he will be devoured. King Darius is upset at having to punish Daniel, and he says to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you” (Daniel 6:16). God does indeed rescue Daniel, sending His angel to shut the mouths of the lions so they do not harm him. Daniel is removed from the lions’ den the next day, much to the relief of the king.
Honestly, I think I would take one look at those lions and succumb to defeat. I’d look around to see no tangible way out of my situation. I’d be plagued by the voices of those who rejected me and the lack of evidence that God had not abandoned me. I strive to have faith like Daniel. Daniel was free-falling in life and still had trust that Lord would catch him….even if it was during the last moment, right before he was slain by a hungry lion.
Lessons we can learn from the story of Daniel:
- God’s way will always prevail
- God is our defender
- God is our safety net
- God is more powerful than the accuser or enemy
- God is ever-present, even when we can’t see a way out.
- Our faith will not be in vain
The trust fall game would have been much less enjoyable if I couldn’t see the person standing behind me who was going to catch me. This is often life…we operate in the unknown. Very little is actually certain in this unpredictable world. The task of not living in the fear of the unknown is tricky. Sometimes we feel like we are falling, and we have nothing to break our fall. The woes of life can leave us limited and without solutions. At times, we must rely on other people
and trust that the people we partner with have our best interest at heart. We can influence the way people treat us, but we cannot command/control this. Human beings are flawed. None of us walk perfectly. However, there are beautiful souls and trustworthy people in this world! But if you find your trust to be shattered in aother, please remember that there is a God that will never forsake you. We can lean into our faith of an unfailing God, but He may not catch us when or how we want Him too.
So even when it feels like you’ve been forced into the “trust fall” game of life, rest in assurance that the Lord is there. He will provide a place of safety and catch you…just in time.
But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, “You are my God.” My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors!
-Psalm 31:14-15