Surrendering the Shield: Learning to Trust Him and His People: Part 1
Many of us carry invisible shields meant to protect us from the world. We our convinced that as long as it’s held high, we are safe. We tell ourselves it’s wisdom, a necessary defense against a world that has let us down or people who have hurt us. But over time, the arm holding that shield begins to ache, and we realize that the same barrier keeping the pain out is also blocking the very intimacy we crave. When we refuse to lower our guard, we don’t just distance ourselves from others; we build a wall between our hearts and the heart of God. Trust is one of the main themes of the bible. One of the most famous verses on trust is Proverbs 3 5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Reasons People Struggle to Trust
There are many reasons why people struggle to trust. Often, these roots are found in childhood, growing from moments when there was no one reliable to lean on. I know from my own experience that these early wounds can make a person cynical, leading them to wonder if anyone is truly dependable. The good news, however, is that such people do exist.
Often, individuals with wounded hearts gravitate toward relationships and friendships with people who are also broken, creating a vicious cycle of pain. Breaking this cycle begins with the courageous step of seeking out those who offer stability and health, allowing us to finally build our lives on a solid foundation
Trusting is Hard
Even the heroes of the Bible like Peter struggled with trust. It’s a journey of returning to God’s faithfulness over and over again. After seeing Jesus walking on the Sea of Galilee during a storm, Peter asks to join Him. The exchange highlights the moment his trust wavered. “Lord, if it is you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
The text suggests that Peter’s ability to walk on water was tied to his faith. As long as he trusted Jesus he did the impossible. The moment he saw the wind he shifted his focus on fear.
What Happens to People Who Never Learn to Trust?
The Bible addresses the consequences of a lack of trust (often framed as unbelief or hardness of heart) from several different angles—psychological, practical, and spiritual.
1. Spiritual Isolation
The most consistent biblical teaching is that trust (faith) is the only way to enter into a relationship with God. Hebrews 11:6 states: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek him. “Those who never trust remain strangers”. If you cannot trust God’s character, your prayer life becomes a series of transactions rather than a conversation with a loving Father.
2. A Life of “Restlessness”
The Bible often links trust with rest. In the book of Hebrews, the author discusses the Israelites who wandered in the desert for 40 years. They were unable to enter the promised land because of their lack of trust. Hebrews 3:19: “So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.” A life without trust is characterized by perpetual wandering, anxiety, and a restless heart because the individual is relying solely on their own strength to navigate.
Gods ways are perfect he is a shield for all who take refuge in him. You don’t have to carry your own shield because He is the shield. Surrendering yours isn’t leaving yourself defenseless; it’s choosing a better defense.
3. Vulnerability to Fall Away From The Faith
Many Christians have debated whether someone can lose their salvation once saved. I don’t have an answer for that, but I do know that when trust is absent, the Bible suggests that a person becomes like a house built on sand. In Matthew 7:26–27, Jesus describes the person who hears his words but does not put them into practice (an act of distrust) as a “foolish man.” Without an anchor of trust in something greater than oneself, the storms of life can be devastating to one’s faith.
4. Hardening of the Heart
The Bible warns that a persistent refusal to trust can lead to a condition called a “hardened heart.” Zechariah 7:12 describes people who made their hearts “as hard as flint” so they could not hear or trust God’s instructions. Over time, this makes a person less capable of experiencing empathy, joy, or recognizing the goodness and truth.
5. Eternal Implications
In the New Testament, particularly in the writings of John, trust is the deciding factor in one’s eternal destiny. From a traditional biblical standpoint, the final consequence of never trusting in God is an eternal separation from Him, often described as a person’s lifelong choice to remain independent of Him. John 3:18: “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
6. Relationships With Others Suffer
Relationships can only grow as deep as the level of trust allowed. If you never trust, your relationships will be shallow. You end up with many acquaintances but no true confidants. You are physically present in a room but emotionally alone.
Never trusting people can actually drive them away, confirming your belief that people aren’t dependable. When others feel your distrust they may eventually withdraw. To the person behind the shield, this looks like another abandonment, but in reality, it was the wall itself that prevented the relationship from growing.
Growth in trusting others almost always requires taking a risk or admitting a need. If you don’t trust anyone with your weaknesses, you can never get the help or the feedback required to heal.
In Part 2, I discuss how we can better learn to trust trustworthy people.
