“Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.” Proverbs 25:19 (NLT)
If you break a tooth and the root is exposed, it is incredibly painful— but it is nothing compared to the pain you experience if you bite down on it. The same is true of a broken foot. The pain becomes excruciating if you attempt to rely on it to support your weight.
Unreliable, unsafe people cause pain if you attempt to rely on them. Just like a broken foot, they cannot be trusted for support. Because our world is filled with both safe and unsafe people, it is vital to know the difference.
According to Safe People by Henry Cloud and John Townsend, unsafe people can be divided into three groups:
- Abandoners: These only form shallow relationships. As soon as there are signs of trouble or conflict, they leave. Withhold your trust until they can prove to you that they will be there even when things get uncomfortable.
- Critics: They judge people and are overly concerned with correcting everyone. Limit their ability to speak into your life—they are less concerned with your growth and more concerned with being right.
- Irresponsibles: They do not follow through on commitments. They may be fun but you cannot count on them.
Take your time before you trust. Unsafe people can only hurt you if you bring them into your close circle of friends and begin to trust and rely on them before they’ve earned it.