1. To understand the relationship between distrust and trauma
2. To learn how trust is built
3. To determine ways to repair trust

Proverbs 3:5-6 -  “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

Joseph’s Triumph in Adversity

Joseph was in prison for a crime he did not commit. His master’s wife was trying to seduce him, but he put up a resistance and chose to follow God’s principle. Though treated cruelly in prison for some time, he later gained the confidence of the keeper of the prison and was put in charge of all the prisoners.

The chief baker and the chief butler of the king of Egypt had been cast into prison for some offense. While under Joseph’s charge, both of them had dreams that Joseph was able to interpret precisely. The chief baker was doomed to death, but the chief butler was to be restored to the royal court. Joseph asked the butler to remember him when he resumed his responsibilities with the king, but it would take two years for him to show his appreciation for Joseph’s kindness.

When Pharaoh himself had a dream that troubled his mind, that none of his magicians could interpret, the chief butler called to mind the fellow prisoner who had told him how his dream would have been fulfilled, and recommended Joseph to Pharaoh.

“Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: ’Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of
the river. Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat;
and they fed in the meadow. Then behold, seven other cows came up after
them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all
the land of Egypt. And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat
cows. When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they
had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke.
Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full
and good. Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the
east wind, sprang up after them. And the thin heads devoured the seven good
head’" (Genesis 41:17-24).

As Joseph proceeded to explain the dream to Pharaoh, he said:
” Indeed seven years of great plenty will come throughout all the land of Egypt;
but after them seven years of famine will arise, and all the plenty will be
forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine will deplete the land. So the
plenty will not be known in the land because of the famine following, for it will
be very severe. And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the
thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass” (Genesis 41:29-32).

The interpretation was well received by Pharaoh and it made him realize his need for a wise man to be appointed to rule his house. The king decided upon Joseph to assume the office. As the lord over his house and ruler over the land of Egypt, Joseph’s life was dramatically changed. He went from planning the affairs of prisoners to being in charge of Egypt’s Department of Agriculture. So when the famine was in the land, Pharaoh directed all people to Joseph.

The famine, however, was not only in Egypt; it was also in the land of Canaan where Joseph’s family lived. When Joseph’s family learned that they could buy grain in Egypt, Joseph’s brothers went there and bowed down to Joseph, fulfilling the dream that he had that had evoked hatred towards him, causing his brethren to deal cruelly with him. The brothers had considered murdering him, but instead decided to sell him as a slave. Joseph put his brethren through several tests to determine if their characters had been changed before revealing himself to them. When he realized, however, that they were no longer the cold, callous, envious brothers as before, he then made his revelation.

You can imagine that emotions were high. Joseph wept loudly so much so that the house of Pharaoh heard him. The brothers were troubled, but Joseph assured them, “Be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. . . God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance” (Genesis 45:5, 7). Not only did Joseph forgive his brothers, but he also invited them, his father, Jacob, and all of Jacob’s household to come to live in the land of Goshen, which is in Egypt. And so did they and were nourished throughout the five additional years of famine.

Upon Jacob’s death in Goshen several years later, Joseph’s brothers began to think that he would now hate them and do evil to them such as they had done to him. Joseph wept when he found out about his brothers’ distrust, for he only wanted what was good for them. He had truly forgiven them, and was of a firm belief that God had worked out all the evil circumstances for good. This was a man with the character of Jesus. He would do nothing less than to continue to treat his brethren with love and kindness.

1. How was Joseph following duty in order to be promoted to keeper of the prison?
2. The will is important when faced with circumstances that require making choices. How did Joseph exercise his will to help others while in prison? How can helping others help you to focus less on your problems?
3. When Joseph was promoted to be a ruler over Israel, he was in danger of some of the problems that come with being famous. What might some of those problems be?
4. Why is it important to follow duty whether you are in a prison or a palace?
5. Jesus suffered because of our sins on the cross, though he was innocent, in order to save us. How is Joseph a type of Christ?
6. Why would Joseph's brothers be distrustful of him though he showed them kindness and forgiveness?
7. The Bible tells us "to fear (reverence and obey) God and give glory (reflect His character) to Him." Why is it important to learn about Jesus' life and His works in order to imitate Him?

Teaching children to trust and obey is the foundation of many moral teachings and principles for Christian living.  But, how is trust developed?  Is trust something children learn?  What happens if that trust is broken?  Who then can they trust?  Let’s discuss these questions and more in the following section.

Researchers from the University of Zurich published a study that links oxytocin with increased trust levels. They found that the oxytocin hormone made participants more willing to trust others.  Oxytocin, also referred to as the “love hormone,” is responsible for the bonding between mothers and children.  A surge of oxytocin is released especially when mothers breastfeed their children.  It makes sense then that there would be an incredible amount of trust between a mother and child.

Another study published by Psychological Science in 2010 suggests that children are naturally inclined to believe what they are told.  The research seems to indicate that since children’s frontal lobes are not fully developed, they rely more upon the thinking of others, and they are also more trusting.  Children trust much more than adults until they experience reasons not to trust.  Children might lose trust if they are repeatedly lied to, or have experienced trauma.  Broken promises, misinformation, false accusations, and contradicting practices are some of the ways children are lied to and thus lose trust.

Additionally, children may feel that someone has let them down after traumatic events.  When someone they once trusted was not there to protect them, or someone they trusted hurt them, they may start acting out their trust issues. They may even tolerate situations or people they should not, or become overly anxious about many things.  Even worse, children may start to become distrusted.

Many traumatic events could be avoided if parents learn to cooperate with Christ.  “God cannot keep children from evil if the parents do not cooperate with Him” (White, 1954).  God designed that children’s relationship with their parents should draw them to Him.  Children learn to trust God in a loving, trusting relationship with their parents.  “As the mother teaches her children to obey her because they love her, she is teaching them the first lessons in the Christian life.  The mother’s love represents to the child the love of Christ, and the little ones who trust and obey their mother are learning to trust and obey the Saviour” (White, 1898).  In cases where parents are unavailable, teachers and other Christian adults are responsible for fostering that trusting relationship.

At some point in every one’s life, trust and trustworthiness will come to mind.  You may question whether or not someone can be trusted.  Indeed, you cannot trust everyone.  The Bible reminds us to pay attention to the “fruits” or the words and actions of others.  “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).  Do the people around you exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, which are love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control?  Attention must be paid to the words and actions of people to ensure that fruit is evident.

Very seldom do people question their own trustworthiness.  Self-reflection, however, is essential on the subject of trust.  Do you possess the fruit of the Spirit?  And, can others trust your words and actions?  The good thing is that whether you are five years old or 95; you can learn how to become a trustworthy person.  Needless to say, you can never do it alone.  You need the help of Jesus Christ.

Jesus can be trusted.  Consequently, the more you trust your Redeemer, the more you will love Him.  Christ loves you and He wants you to love Him too.  “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will never betray your trust.  If you will ask help of God you need not ask in vain.  In order to encourage us to have confidence and trust He comes near us by His holy Word and Spirit, and seeks in a thousand ways to win our confidence” (White, 1979).

God’s word can also be trusted.  Put your confidence in all that He says in the Bible, for it is true.  Our earthly parents may fail us, but God always keeps His promises.  Isaiah 49:15 says, “Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have compassion on the son of her womb?  yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Because God’s character is full of goodness, mercy, tender compassion, sympathy, forbearance, meekness, humility, and love, you can trust Him.

Here are a few practices to consider as you develop your trustworthy character with God’s assistance: (1) Improve your listening skills.  Listening helps to foster a trusting environment.  When someone feels listened to, there is also the likelihood to feel secure in trusting.                  (2) Develop the habit of always telling the truth.  Not telling the truth is the quickest path to losing trust.  Your replies should always be honest and age-appropriate when someone asks tough questions.  (3) Keep your promises.  If you say something, mean it.  Apply Matthew 5:37 which says, “let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay.”  (4) Respect others.  Consider the appropriate boundaries to take with others.  (5) Trust goes both ways.  Show trustworthy behaviors so that others may trust you.

1. Who do children first learn to trust?
2. Can you trust everyone you meet? Why or why not?
3. What characteristics do people show that they are trustworthy?
4. Who do you trust the most? Why?
5. Has someone ever lied to you? If so, what was your reaction?
6. Have you ever lied to someone? How did you feel about it?
7. How do you know that you can trust someone?
8. What practical steps can you take to be more trustworthy?

adversity:  difficulties, misfortune.

 character: the way someone thinks, feels, and behaves.

 cooperation: the actions of someone who is being helpful by doing what is wanted or asked for.

 distrust: the feeling that someone or something cannot be relied upon.

famine: extreme scarcity of food.

posterity:  the descendants of a person.

triumph:  a great victory or achievement.

  trustworthy: deserving of trust or confidence; dependable; reliable.

Place the correct word in the blank spaces.

a)   love     b)  distrust     c)  faith    d)  confidence    e) disbelieving      f) trials

1. _____________________   causes unhappiness of mind.
2. _____________________ and ____________________ should be developed to replace distrust  and despondency.
3. Distrust is sometimes caused by the ____________________ we cannot avoid.
4. Distrust can be the result of ____________________ the power of God to completely save you.
5.  You can be tempted to distrust God's ________________ and doubt His wisdom.

ans. 1)b  2) cd  3)f  4)e  5)a

Write down the feelings, thoughts, words and actions that you have had this week in the square.  Think about what you have discovered about yourself, and how your prayers should reflect the challenges you have.

Dear Father in Heaven,

thank you for Jesus Christ who we can rely on even when others are not reliable.  As we learn the importance of being trustworthy, help us  to trust in you more and more. Thank you for reminding us daily of how much you love us.  Please help us to be truthful in all things.  Teach us to cooperate with Jesus our Savior so that we can develop His character.  May we show others that you live in our hearts.  We ask all of this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.