Forgiveness Does Not Mean Trust

Forgiveness does not mean you have to trust the other person again. Forgiveness and trust are different entities, and neither one is dependent on the other.

"Trust is giving a person the benefit of the doubt that he or she is not going to behave a certain way in the future," says Harold Graham. "Whereas, forgiveness is simply setting down the load, never to pick it up again. Two totally different things."

Sue says, "One simple but great revelation to me was the fact that learning to forgive did not mean I had to trust again. It seemed like such a basic concept, but there was so much anger that I was not able to see that until I heard other people share it. Once I started praying and meditating on that fact, it had a big part in my healing."

Trust is something that needs to be earned, especially if the other person has broken your trust at some point. Learning to trust another person again can take a long time, and sometimes you will never trust that person because he or she may continue to betray your trust. God, on the other hand, can always be trusted. He will not betray you or let you down, and He can teach you to forgive.

"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you" (Psalm 9:10).