A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:28 (NLT)
Trust is earned over time. It’s not built on what people say they will do but what they actually do and do not do.
It takes years before you can fully trust someone with important things that could hurt you, your family or your business.
If you find yourself wondering if you can trust them, don’t. And if they ask you to trust them, it is usually a sign that you shouldn’t.
Here are two other signs to watch for:
- Do not hand out your trust too quickly to someone who gossips. They will create problems in your other relationships, influencing you to notice everyone’s flaws. Also, you never know when they might turn their fault-finding microscope on you.
- Be careful of those who are overly concerned with trying to protect their position in the pecking order of your relationships. They may want to be your ‘best friend’ and try to find fault with other friends in order to establish a closer relationship with you. Confront them if they put down your other friends to make themselves look better.
As you develop new relationships, keep your eyes wide open. Do not judge motives and intentions—it’s impossible to know why people do what they do—but always examine behaviour and take your time when you are determining who you can trust.