Have you ever had your trust broken or has there been a breach of trust between you and a loved one?

What a silly question, right? We all have had our trust broken. When this foundation on which we build all relationships is rocked, it can feel almost impossible to rebuild. You and I don’t realize sometimes how important trust is in our everyday lives until we are smacked in the face with deception, hurt, or uncertainty. Sitting in a chair is a choice of trust. Driving in your car is a risky decision, yet we do it every day at 50 to 70 miles per hour or more. When it comes to relationships, many times we ignore or aren’t aware of how much trust plays a role in how we relate to others and how they relate to us.

When a couple starts dating and enters a more serious relationship with each other, they automatically seem to trust each other. They don’t question each other’s motives. The couple gives each other the benefit of the doubt. Then one day something happens to disturb their tranquility. A negative event can strike anytime after a couple has started dating, when they are engaged, or even after they are married. Trust can quickly be lost. Whether small or large, the earthquake shakes their view of each other and leaves cracks in the foundation of the relationship.

To rebuild trust, you need to know what trust is. Without understanding what trust is and what it is not, you might find it hard to develop trust…

I was asked the other day about why someone’s relationship had gotten so far off the rails. My first thought came as a question: Did the relationship begin with dishonesty? As I pondered this more, I wondered if I could help people entering relationships to make sure that they stand a fighting chance.

Life is difficult right now. Our world has been turned upside down. In turbulent times we need help. A little direction is desired when you don’t know what to do. Guidance can comes in many forms: a friend, a mentor, a book, a podcast or some other informational resource, especially the best source, the Bible. As many of my latest post have focused on the topic of dishonesty, when you are wanting to stop this type of behavior, a little guidance from the Word is important when you don’t know what else to do to stop this hurtful behavior.

Doing a little research and thought exercise on whether lying is okay or not. I thought I might write a post to help married couples navigate the nuances of dishonesty in marriage and relationships. Undoubtedly, I believe most people do not like to be lied to, but many people believe that there are times when lying is okay. I am not sure if you are one of those people, but let’s take a look at some information to get some finality to this question.

Is it possible to rebuild trust? You may be asking that question. You feel terrible about the mistake of lying to your spouse, but you are not sure how to reverse it. Your stuck between defending yourself and protecting yourself from their anger. Healing takes time and hopelessness wanes in situations like these. The question you are asking is,  “Is it possible to make things better?” As a marriage and family therapist, my answer is, “Yes!”