Trusting Your Mentor
Trust: the very word expresses a sense of openness, safety, and freedom.
The meaning of trust according to Merriam-Webster is: (1) belief that someone or something is reliable, good, honest, effective, etc… (2) assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something; one in which confidence is placed.
Trust is a beautiful expression of relationship, typically born out of experience. Not to be forced, but rather something that is earned over time, trust happens not only when there is confidentiality, but also when there are signs of realinterest in the person’s life, a pursuit, a perseverance in the relationship filled with love, grace, and a bit of fun!
Mentoring through the FLOURISH program over 12 months could cause us to feel like we need to nail down trust and openness with our mentor sooner rather than later. But that might not come naturally to you. It could feel forced. It could feel like you need time. It could feel scary. It makes sense, right? Trust is something that we build over time, but it’s needed if we want to have a deep and meaningful relationship.
Some of us are already there -an open book, ready to share our life and let someone in on everything. Others may be guarded and careful, waiting to see if our mentor is safe and trustworthy. But part of gaining trust with our mentor requires vulnerability, and vulnerability can be a tricky place to stand at times.
Thankfully we don’t have to carry that burden alone. Jesus can break down any walls that could stand between you and your mentor. He knows every detail of your heart and exactly what is needed to create trust between you and your mentor. We challenge you to begin praying for your mentor and asking God to help you invite her into your life. Scripture repeatedly tells us to put our trust in Him first and foremost:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is a refuge for us. Selah” Psalm 62:8
Trust begins with Jesus and trusting Him with our lives. Part of that is trusting that He has put us with our particular mentor for this season. And our mentors can’t lead us if we aren’t willing to open up our hearts to them and give them freedom to speak into our lives. When we as mentees step into the relationship with authenticity and vulnerability, we allow our mentors to come into our lives, pour into us, and be on the journey with us. That’s what being in a mentoring relationship is all about. Allowing someone, who has gone before you, to walk alongside you in life: the good, the bad, the ugly, and all the beautiful parts of this journey called life.
Trust that above all things, Jesus is at work.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy andpeace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13
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