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Trust and Truth - Reliable supports for a life of meaning, purpose, and fulfilment
Truth and Trust
Truth and trust go together quite naturally in our experience, for we normally start with trust and assume truth as the norm whenever we communicate with one another. Hence, hearing or learning about a lie is always a disappointment, even if knowing about it proves helpful to us. If we know or are in contact with someone who lies, our trust in that person diminishes and injures whatever relationship exists or lessens interest in starting one.
Sad as is the reality and prevalence in contemporary society of that lying with words and with images, our commitment to truth has double benefits: we retain our own integrity, with consequent peace of mind and heart, and we relate more naturally and easily with God, for whom truth is an absolute. God has a sense of humor, so not all that we think or say in our personal prayer must be logical and perfectly ordered. However, God, being Love, cannot lie and does not inspire anyone else to do so. We may not reflect on it very often, but the saying, “God can neither deceive nor be deceived” is the foundation of our trust.
Whenever we ask advice from someone, trust is involved. Not that we would normally be wary of anyone being untruthful in responding to our request for help, for we will usually ask only those we trust because of their care for us and their wisdom. But we know that we all have limited experience of life’s complexities and are only capable of partially understanding one another. That is why we only seek advice, which we will take into consideration and use or not use as seems good to us. When we ask God, we can trust not only in God’s absolute love for us, but also God’s complete understanding of our situation and full knowledge of whatever is best for us in both the short and the long terms.
Because we trust God’s love for us and God’s truthfulness, we can confidently ask that we be enlightened as to whatever will be better regarding decision that is ours to make, no matter how little or great our specific concerns might be. We do not ask God for advice, as if we could somehow know what is truly right and good. Rather, we exercise the gift of faith and determine to act on whatever answer we receive from God. That is, if we find that we are at peace with what we have received, we make our decision accordingly.
Sometimes, when we ask God to show us the better way, our minds and hearts settle on an answer that brings true peace, even if this is accompanied by some fear of the consequences. When we sense that this is how to proceed, we trust and we act. At other times, clarity does not come easily, and we return to prayer until we receive insight into the way forward.
Truth and trust are complementary.
Last Updated 10/3/2026