By Rick Warren, posted October 16, 2019 on his Daily Hope devotional, available at: http://www.pastorrick.com
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If you want to be happy, become somebody that people trust.
Paul uses Timothy as an example of this: “You know the kind of person Timothy is. You know he has served with me in telling the Good News, as a son serves his father” (Philippians 2:22 NCV).
Paul had seen Timothy in action, in all kinds of circumstances, and Paul considered him genuine, trustworthy, and reliable. Another translation of Philippians 2:22 says, “You know what kind of person Timothy proved to be” (GW). Do people know what kind of person you really are? Have you been proven trustworthy like Timothy?
Anytime you go to a bank for a loan, they do a credit check. They want to know if you’re worthy of being trusted with credit. Do you pay your bills on time? Do you have a track record of keeping your word? Will you pay this money back? Are you dependable and creditable and reliable?
The thing is, everybody around you is doing a credit check on you every moment of your life. They want to know if you are what you say you are. Are you the real deal? Are you showing your true colors? Can you be trusted?
If you’re going to be happy in your relationships and in life, you have to be a trustworthy and reliable person.
How do you develop a reputation of reliability?
First, you live with integrity. Integrity doesn’t mean you’re perfect. It means what you see is what you get. You are the real deal, because your actions match your words.
Proverbs 25:13 says, “Reliable friends who do what they say are like cool drinks in sweltering heat—refreshing!” (The Message).
Second, you keep your promises.
Psalm 15:4 says, “They always do what they promise, no matter how much it may cost” (GNT).
Learning to live with integrity and keep your promises will show others that you can be trusted and will also make you a much happier person.
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Psalm 15:1-2 — Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain? The one whose walk is blameless, who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from their heart.
Proverbs 12:19-22 — Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy. No harm overtakes the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble. The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.
I Corinthians 13:6-7 — Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
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Lord Jesus, give me the faith and the will and the strength to obey you in all things, doing unto others as I would have others do unto me. Amen.
–Based on the words of Jesus in Luke 6:31