God is reliable and so trustworthy, but I am not reliable or trustworthy.
Acknowledging our own shortcomings in reliability or trustworthiness can be a deeply humbling realization, but it’s also an opportunity to lean more fully on God’s grace and strength. Scripture provides encouragement and guidance for situations where we feel inadequate or unworthy:
1. God’s Reliability Covers Our Weakness
- Scripture:
- "If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).
- "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever" (Hebrews 13:8).
- Encouragement:
God’s reliability and trustworthiness are unchanging. Even when we fall short, His faithfulness remains steadfast. You don’t have to rely solely on your own strength—He fills the gaps where we fall short.
2. God Transforms Us
- Scripture:
- "And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh" (Ezekiel 36:26).
- "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13).
- Encouragement:
God doesn’t just leave us in our weaknesses; He works to transform us into people who reflect His character. When we surrender our flaws to Him, He shapes us into someone more trustworthy and reliable over time.
3. Dependence on Grace, Not Perfection
- Scripture:
- "But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me" (Psalm 28:7).
- Encouragement:
God’s grace is the foundation of our relationship with Him. He doesn’t demand perfection but invites us to rely on Him in our weaknesses. Trustworthiness in our lives grows when we align ourselves with His Word and Spirit.
4. Steps Toward Growing Trustworthiness
- Scripture:
- "Whoever is faithful with very little is also faithful with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little is also dishonest with much" (Luke 16:10).
- "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Encouragement:
Start small. By being faithful in small commitments, we learn to build trustworthiness. Ask God to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in your life, especially faithfulness.
5. God’s Love is Greater Than Our Failures
- Scripture:
- "For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His love for those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:11-12).
- "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
- Encouragement:
Your trustworthiness—or lack thereof—does not define your worth to God. His love and grace are far greater than your failures. When you bring your shortcomings to Him, He forgives and renews you.
Practical Steps for Growth
- Admit Your Need for Help: Confess your struggles with reliability to God and ask for His guidance.
- Stay Close to God’s Word: Scripture provides wisdom and principles for faithful living.
- Rely on God’s Strength: Pray for His Spirit to empower you to be dependable and faithful in your relationships and commitments.
- Seek Accountability: Surround yourself with believers who encourage you to grow in integrity.
Your recognition of God’s trustworthiness compared to your own shortcomings is a sign of humility and dependence on Him. Trust that He is working in you and through you, even as you grow.