Trust: The Core of Every Relationship
Whatever our age, trust is always an issue. As a sophomore in high school, I learned this the hard way. My best friend was about to move, and instead of cherishing our remaining time, I started looking for a new best friend before she even left. I hurt her. It taught me an important lesson: trust is at the core of every relationship.
When we connect with others, a question always lingers in the back of our minds: Is this person going to hurt me or help me? Trust forms when we feel safe, respected, and understood. But trust isn’t automatic—it’s built over time.
At the heart of trust are expectations. We assume the people we care about will respect us and treat us with faithfulness. But the truth is, we’re all human. Self-interest sometimes takes over, and we end up hurting the people we care about, even unintentionally. That’s why clarity is so important. Being upfront about expectations can save everyone from unnecessary hurt or resentment later.
For example, clarity in romantic relationships might sound like:
“Don’t kiss me until you know you love me,” or, “I’m waiting until marriage to have sex.” Setting boundaries like this not only protects you but also reveals who’s serious about respecting them. (It’s a quick way to divide the men from the boys.)
In friendships, it might mean saying:
“I’m super busy right now, so I can only talk between 7 and 8 in the evenings.”
These conversations can feel awkward at first, but they create the foundation for trust. When people know where you stand, they’re less likely to cross boundaries. Trust is built brick by brick, and clarity is one of the strongest tools to lay the groundwork.