Trustable. Are you trustable? It probably would help if I provided my definition for this word so you’d know how I was defining and expressing this word. I do realize that most people would use ‘trustworthy’ which is a great word and more well known and understood, but I like ‘trustable’. In my world of words, trustable means someone with a proven tract record of doing what they say. It’s not necessary to have the same definition, but the one who is trustable always adheres to their definition. Their ‘rep’ is that you know, can rely on them, that what they say they will do (fill in the blank), or let you know in advance why they can’t. Is this you?
The Message Bible can really hit you square between the eyes at times, stating familiar verses in the language of today. An example of what is NOT trustable can be found in Colossians 3:25 MSG
“The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”
“Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense?” [James 2:14-17 MSG]
These are two examples of what is not ‘trustable’. If you simply pay lip service to what you do, then what is the result of this behavior. Confusion – Frustration – Unknown – Mixed Messages! What we need to always remember is that we take our attitude with us in everything we do. If our attitude is one that says I’m going to do (fill in the blank) because I said I was going to help, but I’m only going to do the minimum necessary. What kind of workman is this person? My definition is that if we say we are Christians then we always bring our ‘A’ game. And do remember that each person’s ‘A’ varies with each person. Never apply someone else’s standard to yourself nor impose yours on others. Other people are NOT your servant nor are you theirs in this sense.
Part of the problem is that when trust is broken it is extremely difficult to restore it. Do you automatically trust again the person who has ‘betrayed’ you in some way? You may still remain acquaintances… bur friendship may never be fully restored. The other person will need to prove themselves again… over time. Do you really believe others don’t respond this way toward you when you’ve discarded their trust? Even when it is a legitimate reason, not mere excuse after the fact, the point is… you never followed through, you never told them of your conflict prior to fulfilling (fill in the blank). the irony is that they would probably have understood had you said something.
I believe that being ‘trustable’ is foundational in our qualities, traits. Our actions have proved our words and this fact has occurred multiple time. It is then that we attain the status of having the attribute of being trustable. It isn’t so much that we consciously focus and are consumed with proving, it is a natural extension, expression of who we are. Simply look at those you have attributed trustable to… how does this make you feel? Secure, confident that when that person says something you can rely on them. This is true for others as well in their relying on us. It’s how we all need to express ourselves to others. I can’t conceive of what we might gain by the opposite behavior.
