Are you struggling with how to build trust in a relationship? What if I told you that building trust in relationships with other people starts by trusting God? Relationships create space for so much worry, fear, and insecurity. If we’re not rooted in trust in God, those feelings will overwhelm us and potentially ruin our relationships. We have to be solid in our relationship with God to be able to build trust in relationships. Whether you’re struggling with trusting God, trusting your partner, or both, let’s explore what it looks like to build trust, one brick at a time.

The Nature of Trust

One of the biggest mistakes we make when it comes to trusting God or people is thinking that trust is a destination. Trust is not a one-time choice; it’s a daily and continuous process.

Even when you trust in God — you believe that He sent His son to die on the cross and redeem us from sin and the eternal death we deserve — that doesn’t mean you’ll never struggle with trusting Him for daily things.

Trust is not a destination. It takes time. And it’s never complete. I trust God, but I have to entrust things to him every day… multiple times a day… sometimes the same things over and over.

Here’s an example that I’m currently working on with God.

I trust that God is my ultimate provider. It says so multiple times in the Bible. One of my favorite passages is Matthew 6:25-33, where Jesus is speaking and says:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

I know this. I believe this. BUT… last month, I lost two paid clients for my content marketing business. It’s a pretty big chunk of income that I wasn’t expecting to lose. Now, multiple times a day, I find myself entrusting my business and my finances to God. I have to constantly say to myself, “God is my provider. He knows my situation, and He knows what I need. His plans are better than mine, and I can trust Him.”

Five minutes later… 

“God is my provider. He knows my situation, and He knows what I need. His plans are better than mine, and I can trust Him.”

The next day…

“God is my provider. He knows my situation, and He knows what I need. His plans are better than mine, and I can trust Him.”

You get the picture.

I trust God, and I entrust aspects of my life to him daily. It’s similar in relationships. I trust my husband. I believe he loves me and wants the best for me. But I still have to entrust things to him multiple times a day, whether it’s trusting that he’ll handle a tough conversation with kindness or forgive me when I give him attitude (oops!). 

Trusting God vs Trusting in God

I don’t know if you struggle with this, but I find it easy to trust in God for my eternal salvation but harder to trust Him for my day-to-day struggles. Trusting in God means believing everything the Bible says is true:

• God is three in one: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (the Trinity).
• The Bible is God’s inspired, infallible Word and the ultimate authority on truth.
• Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man, whose life, death, and resurrection provide salvation by grace through faith.
• God is holy, sovereign, and unchanging, with a perfect plan for creation.
• The Holy Spirit dwells inside believers, guiding and empowering them to live faithfully.
• Humanity is fallen and needs salvation, with eternal life promised to those who believe in Jesus.
• Jesus will return to establish God’s kingdom, and His plan will be fulfilled completely.

That’s the foundation. Trusting Him daily means believing He knows what He’s doing here and now and that His ways are perfect, even when we don’t know, understand, or like them. It means entrusting Him with all the details of our lives, including our finances, our relationships (who we date and marry), our families, our health… trusting God for everything.

How Do I Know That I Can Trust God?

You can trust God because He has proven His faithfulness through His Word and His actions. The Bible is filled with examples of His promises fulfilled, from the Israelites’ deliverance in Exodus to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His love and character never change, and He has a perfect record of keeping His word. When you reflect on how He has worked in your own life, even in small ways, it becomes clear that He is reliable and good.

Why Do I Lack Trust in God?

Sometimes we struggle to trust God because we want control or fear surrendering to an unknown outcome. It’s hard to trust when we’re uncertain of what lies ahead or when our plans don’t align with His. Life’s disappointments or painful experiences may also cloud our view of His goodness. But often, the root of our lack of trust is simply not knowing Him deeply enough. Trust grows when we truly understand who He is and what He’s done for us.

How Do I Build My Faith in God?

Building faith takes intentional steps. Spend time in the Word to remind yourself of His promises and character. Pray honestly, share your fears and doubts, and ask Him to strengthen your trust. Surround yourself with a faith-filled community that points you to God’s truth. Most importantly, practice trusting Him in small, everyday moments. Each time you acknowledge His control and trust Him with something, your faith grows stronger.

Trusting God in Relationships Requires Not Misplacing Trust in People

The Bible never tells us to put our trust in people. In fact, it’s just the opposite. There is no “trust in a relationship” Bible verse. The only scriptures that speak to trust in relationships tell us not to trust in people but only in God. 

Take, for example, Jeremiah 17:5, which says, “Thus says the Lord: Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the Lord.’”

Misplacing our trust in people often leads to disappointment, as human reliability is imperfect and fleeting. However, God’s faithfulness is unchanging and limitless, far surpassing any human ability. By trusting in Him above all else, we anchor our relationships in a foundation that cannot fail, avoiding the heartache that comes from relying on people alone.

Why Do I Struggle To Trust My Partner?

Struggling to trust your partner often comes from a place of fear or past wounds. You might have experienced betrayal in the past, either in this relationship or another, and that pain lingers, making it hard to fully open up again. Sometimes, it’s not so much about your partner’s behavior as it is about how you feel inside. 

Are you afraid of losing them? Do you worry you’re not enough? These thoughts can create a cycle of doubt. Trust takes time and reassurance, but it also requires you to work through any insecurities or hurts that might be holding you back. Be honest with yourself and your partner about how you feel. When you acknowledge the root of your struggle, it becomes easier to rebuild trust.

What Is the Root Cause of Trust Issues in Relationships?

At the heart of trust issues in a relationship is often a struggle to trust in God to guide and sustain it. When you rely solely on your own strength or your partner’s actions to feel secure, you’re placing expectations on them that only God can truly fulfill. 

People, no matter how well-intentioned, are imperfect and will stumble. But when you shift your focus toward trusting in God, you’re reminded that He is constant, faithful, and able to provide what your relationship needs. Without that trust in Him, fear and doubt can creep in, leading to frustration and mistrust as you rely on flawed human efforts instead of God’s perfect plan.

How To Stop Trust Issues in Relationships?

It all starts with your relationship with God. When you trust God to meet your needs, you’re less likely to place unrealistic expectations on your partner. It’s easy to fall into the trap of depending on them to fill every emotional void or bring you total security, but no one can do that perfectly. 

When you lean on God, you learn to release control and find peace, even when things feel uncertain. This trust in Him not only strengthens your faith but also allows more grace and patience in your relationship, creating the stability you’ve been searching for. By anchoring your heart in God’s faithfulness, you free yourself from constant doubt and build a stronger foundation with your partner.

How To Build Trust in Relationships

Trust, whether in your relationship with God or a partner, is built like a wall, one layer at a time. It starts with a strong foundation, and each new “brick” of trust is added through moments of entrusting. Sometimes a brick may fall, but it doesn’t have to damage the entire wall unless the foundation itself is broken. That foundation is what keeps everything steady, even when smaller pieces are shaken. 

Foundational Trust Bricks With God

Trust is built intentionally, especially in your relationship with God. Think of it like constructing a wall, where foundational beliefs form the base and smaller moments of faith add layers. This exercise is designed to help you reflect on and strengthen your trust in God by identifying both the core truths you believe about Him and the everyday experiences that reinforce those beliefs. Here’s how it works:

Foundational Trust Bricks

These are the core beliefs that form the base of your trust in God. Without them, the structure of trust begins to weaken.

• Trust that His plans are perfect.
• Trust that He loves you deeply.
• Trust that He is good and unchanging.
• Trust that what the Bible says is true.

Additional Trust Bricks

These are the smaller, everyday moments where you see God’s faithfulness. Every moment of entrusting adds a new brick to your trust “wall.”

• An answered prayer.
• Witnessing His hand in a difficult situation.
• Forming a new, meaningful friendship.
• Experiencing peace during a trial.
• Seeing transformation in your own or someone else’s life.

As you work through this exercise, consider how each foundational “brick” supports your faith and how the additional bricks show God’s ongoing presence in your life. Together, they create a wall of trust that can stand firm through life’s challenges.

Foundation Trust Blocks with a Partner

Building trust in a relationship takes intentional effort, just like it does in your relationship with God. You can use a similar exercise to identify foundational trust bricks with your partner, focusing on what you can genuinely rely on while recognizing that no one is perfect. Here’s how it might look:

Foundational Blocks

These are the core beliefs that create the base of trust in your relationship.

• I trust that he wants to be with me.
• I trust that his foundation is Christ.
• I trust that he listens to me when I talk.
• I trust that he wants the best for me and doesn’t want to hurt me.

Additional Trust Blocks

These moments reflect your partner’s actions and behavior over time. Each time you entrust something and trust isn’t broken, it adds layers to your “wall.”

• He followed through when I asked him to do something.
• He told the truth, even when it was hard to say.
• He admitted when he was wrong and apologized sincerely.
• He supported me during a challenging situation without being asked.
• He took responsibility for a mistake and made it right.
• He showed kindness or care when it wasn’t expected.

A Key Reminder

It’s important to have realistic expectations and remember that people aren’t perfect. For example, with my husband, I trust that he wants the best for me and doesn’t want to hurt me.

But I don’t trust that he never will. What matters is how we handle those moments. I trust that if he does hurt me, I can bring it up, and he’ll listen. I trust that he’ll apologize and take steps to make it right, whether that’s getting help, making changes, or doing better in the future. It’s not about perfection; it’s about having a relationship where we can be honest, grow together, and keep building trust over time.

What Builds Trust in a Relationship?

There are tons of ways to add “trust bricks” to your foundation in a relationship. It’s all about giving opportunities for trust to be built, even in the small things.

• Boundaries Build Trust: Every boundary you set is an opportunity for your partner to respect it, which builds trust. 
• Met Expectations Build Trust: Every expectation you express gives your partner an opportunity to meet it, which builds trust.
• Communication Builds Trust: Every time you communicate openly and honestly, it gives your partner an opportunity to listen and respond lovingly, which builds trust.
• A Safe Environment Builds Trust: Do you trust that if something happened, he would tell you? How can you create a safe environment? We have the ability to create safe spaces through our words, actions, and reactions. 

Sometimes trust blocks will get knocked down, and that’s hard to deal with. But it doesn’t have to mean the end of a relationship if the foundation of trust is still solid. A strong foundation gives you something to rebuild on, even when things go wrong.

However, if you can’t even establish a foundation of trust, or if every time you trust someone, they break that trust, it’s a clear red flag. That’s a sign the relationship isn’t healthy or sustainable.

On the other hand, when trust continues to grow, and you see that you can rely on someone time and time again, it’s like stacking more and more bricks on your trust wall. Over time, the wall becomes so strong that even if a block falls off here and there, the wall still stands firm. Once you’ve built 50 layers of trust, one broken brick won’t destroy the relationship. Instead, you’ll have the strength to repair and keep building together.

Are You Ready To Learn How To Trust God Completely?

If you’re wrestling with questions like, “How do I trust God?” or “What do I do when there’s no trust in the relationship?” you don’t have to face them alone. Instead of searching endlessly for advice and encouragement online, let’s dive deep into these topics together. Through one-on-one relationship coaching and Christian mentorship, I’d love to support you, provide biblical guidance, and walk with you on this journey. You are not alone!