Trustworthiness

To trust someone is to know that he will stand beside you - that he won't cut and run when the going gets tough.  Preston Gillham says, "Trust is the confidence that continues to believe, even if what you believe appears to be untrue.  To my way of thinking, trust is one step deeper than faith".

We are in a war - a spiritual war - and we need people around us we can trust to cover our backs - people who put our well-being ahead of their own.  We need men who care enough about us and have our best interest at heart so much that they are willing to challenge our actions and decisions even if we get angry with them.

Men who are trustworthy are dependable.  Can he be counted upon?  Is his word his bond?  Are his wife, children, and friends confident that he will be there for them when times are tough?  A man who is dependable can be counted on to do what is best for you and others around him.

These are the kind of men we need as leaders.  The Bible puts it this way:  "But select capable men from all the people, men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain; and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.  Have them serve as judges for the people at all times; let them bring every difficult case to you, but the simple ones they can decide themselves"  (Exod. 18:21-22)

Talk to your son about your own life and what being able to trust someone means to you.  If you have trouble trusting due to past experience, discuss it with him so that he can understand how trustworthiness is such a strong character trait in a man and how damaging it can be when violated

(Taken from "Better Dads, Stronger Sons" by Rick Johnson)