Rebuilding Trust In A Relationship

We can't rebuild trust in a relationship until forgiveness occurs. To forgive, you have to be willing to give up your feeling of being wounded. trust connotes; “To grant pardon to; to cease to feel resentment against; to cancel an indebtedness or liability of.”  Sometimes old hurts and resentments become a badge of self-righteousness.  When we let go, we may not know what to do. Think of your resentments as a heavy load that you are carrying around and the load gets bigger and heavier with time.  Notice how the load holds you in the past.  This first step in rebuilding trust and forgiving is letting go.  In order to move on, you must commit to releasing your feelings of anger, resentment, and the need to punish the person with whom you have lost trust. 

Sometimes, we're afraid to let go because we're afraid that this would mean that we're condoning the other person’s actions.  Forgiveness does not deny responsibility for behavior – you have simply committed not to hold the other person in debt. The Positive Way explains forgiveness this way: “Forgiveness is a gift you give to yourself.  It is a release from the burden of anger and pain.  When you choose to forgive, you choose to live in the present and the future instead of the past.  It does not mean to forget but it does mean to release and go on.  Forgiveness doesn't happen on its own, you must choose to forgive.

There are three parts to an apology: 
1) Say, “ I'm sorry [for the issue]”; 
2) Make a statement of commitment; 
3) Ask what you can do to make it right.  

Only when you forgive the person who wronged you, can you determine if you want the relationship to continue, and if so, begin to work on reconciliation with the other party. Sometimes, you may determine that the relationship cannot continue and you should then forgive the person and move on.  It is still important – for you as much as for the other person – that you pardon the person of wrong-doing so you can both be free.

Restoring trust and rebuilding the relationship requires that you be in the present (versus reliving the past – you let that go!) and determine what you need from the other person in your relationship.  Be willing to clearly ask for changes in behaviors in ways that can be observed and understood.  Offer similar changes yourself to support your request and show your commitment to the relationship and willingness to change.  Put your agreement in writing when appropriate (especially in professional relationships) and check in with each other on a regular basis to be accountable to each other for your part. 

At times, old fears and suspicions may resurface.  Similar circumstances may bring up the old pain.  Remind yourself of the difference between then and now and move back into the present moment.  You may choose to speak openly to the other person about your recurring fears, focusing on sharing, not accusing and own the fear as yours rather than the other person’s fault.  This is when transparency and honesty are most valuable.  This is about making peace with the past and living in the NOW