What is the most important word on Valentine’s Day? Is it “card”? Run out quick if you forgot. Is it “flowers”? FTD would love for you to think so. Is it “candy”? Well, let me think about it! No, the operative word for each and every Valentine’s Day is “trust”. Valentine’s Day makes us all gushy with emotion and threatens to bewitch us into believing that love is some ill-defined but undeniable feeling. Now, I’m not opposed to feelings especially on a day like today but feelings cannot sustain a loving relationship long-term. What does? Trust does.
What marriage counselor has not invested hours in a crumbling marriage only to witness the rapid departure of hope when one partner says, “But I just don’t trust him or her anymore?” Where trust is strong almost any crisis can be weathered but let that trust erode and the smallest matters send couples to the courts. You cannot overestimate trust in a relationship.
The trust factor is one of the reasons Israel had a jealousy ritual. Jealousy, the Bible says, is cruel as the grave (Song of Songs 8: 6 KJV). Jealousy cannot long reside in a home if both partners are to reside in that home. God knew there must be a speedy means to insure trust could be restored in a marriage. What is important for us in Twenty-First Century America is not a distasteful little cocktail administered by the priest or the importance of the potential end to an offending woman’s reproductive ability. What we need to focus on is the incredible potency of trust versus jealousy in a relationship.
If you are an offending party, rebuild trust with your mate at any and all costs. Make yourself accountable and let your mate know you are taking pains to guarantee that you could never prove unfaithful again. If you are the offended party and your mate has truly repented forgive him or her just as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you ( Rom. 15: 7). If trust is intact in your home hug it close as you hug your sweetheart close this Valentine’s Day. Trust is the greatest Valentine’s gift of all because it lasts the whole year through. It doesn’t wilt like roses, melt like candy or cause indigestion like a high priced meal. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for all the things which drive the Valentine’s Day economy but only if they are underscored by trust. Give a trustworthy heart this Valentine’s Day.