But the princes of the Ammonites said to Hanun their lord, “Do you think, because David has sent comforters to you, that he is honoring your father? Has not David sent his servants to you to search the city and to spy it out and to overthrow it?” 2 Samuel 10:3

David desired to show kindness and compassion to Hanun when his father passed away, sending messengers to extend his condolences. The advisers of Hanun, however, distrusted Israel and David’s actions came under suspicion. Instead of receiving the honor graciously, Hanun shamed the messengers by cutting off half of their beards and tearing their robes. Instead of knowing peace, Hanun’s actions brought war.

A sense of distrust leads to many problems between nations as well as between families and individuals. We see the actions of someone and read something sinister into their motives. We read between the lines of the email and Facebook messages to invent some snide remark that went unwritten. Our unwillingness to trust tears down relationships and leads to less trust and more problems.

Jesus instructed His followers to be wise as serpents, but innocent as doves. We are able to move forward with relationships with discernment and wisdom while expecting the best from one another. I need to accept that what people tell me is the truth until I have a reason – real, not imagined – to believe otherwise. When people disappoint me, I need to be ready to forgive and move past personal feelings. When I hurt others, I need to be honest about my role in what happened and to offer a humble apology.

My relationships will be strengthened if I am able to be trusted and am willing to trust others.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing me grace and mercy in my failings and for inviting me to trust You.