Here I am, resuming on the episode 7 for this series I have started writing on, featuring FAITHFULNESS today.
Faithfulness is one of the greatest attributes I love about God and human beings. Somehow, this word faithful has always been ringing to me as a very pleasant word, like McDonald's sounding good to the ears, lol. So much so, my blog that I used to write in was named faithful_____.
However, let me start off by sharing with you a story of betrayal. (What?!) Yes, you heard it right, betrayal. Some years ago, I was trying to relate with a girl friend in the best way that I can. We have always been having some friendship problems but because I was trying to honour the relationship, I thought I gave it a last try by encouraging ourselves to be honest with each other. For once, when I hit the lowest time of my life, I thought I could fall back on her during my pregnancy time. Until..... I had a very weird hinge that she was doing the exact thing I was scared of to hurt me. I didn't want to trust my instinct at first because I have been told I was too suspicious. So I tried to give the best benefit of doubt I could and still tried my best to trust her. The hard truth was she did betray me for her own selfish intentions even when I had given her chances after chances to not go further but she did. It was a betrayal that I do not want to go into further details and I couldn't trust this friend anymore, whom I have set my boundaries with as we have different values especially in integrity. However in this period, I actually found another faithful friend 
There is also another betrayal story in my life which ended in a renewed faithfulness. This would be a person I have to re-learn to trust and it did happen for us. Our trust is strengthened and it is not as flimsy as before. So, not all betrayals ended badly.
The natural ability to be faithful
Okay, hope the story wasn't too "heavy" for you because we are going to look at the exact opposite of betrayal - faithfulness. Do I still believe there can be such quality and fruit in humanity? Of course, I do. I think faithfulness is an embedded ability for every human. Look at how we stay faithful to certain hobbies: car lovers, travelling, Coke collection, favourite football team, marriage, relationships and etc. Some people would go extra miles just to do what they like. Of course we have always heard faithful stories from animals especially dogs. One of the most famous stories would be Hachiko, the dog who reunited with its owner after a long time and it is even monumented as a statue in Japan.
Faithfulness is tied closely with trusting and trustworthiness. It means also sticking true to our words, vows and promises. It makes us realize we can actually remember other people in our actions and not just forsake them at the expense of our own selfish desire. It means waiting even in the midst of uncertainties, like Hachiko who waited for 9 year, 9 months and 15 days for Professor Ueno's return. As for myself, I have very low tolerance towards infidelity whether emotional infidelity or things get physical. However, whether I like it or not, betrayals do happen around us, I got to accept that faithfulness is a precious attribute.
What is faithfulness?
I guess faithfulness can be rounded up to be the action of being loyal, true, steadfast and reliable. As usual, I checked out the word 'faithfulness' in Hebrew.
The Hebrew word for"faithfulness" is emunah, which Strong's says literally means "firmness," figuratively means "security" and morally means "fidelity." Source
In Greek, it comes in the word pistis taking the meaning of trustworthiness, or in other words being reliable. Source
This word carries the meaning of steadfastness and persistence in having faith. It sounds like the craziest thing to do especially when we are enduring a long period of unpredictability or bewilderment. I like the word steadfast a lot, maybe because the meaning of my name, Connie is actually steadfast. I try my best to embrace this word and the meaning of my name as much as I can. Hence, that is why among all of God's attributes, I really love this part of Him the most!
Nothing is more noble, nothing more venerable than fidelity. Faithfulness and truth are the most sacred excellences and endowments of the human mind. ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero
Source
Indeed, this life is a test. It is a test of many things - of our convictions and priorities, our faith and our faithfulness, our patience and our resilience, and in the end, our ultimate desires. ~Sheri L. Dew
Source
Learning to trust with God's faithfulness
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Honestly, I had a problem with trust before this. I felt I was not trusted and my trust was given over to another sibling when I was younger because she seemed 'better' to handle bigger responsibility. I guess I dare not trust others much because I'm also not used to trusting myself. It sounded very scary to trust.
I did close myself up and avoid trusting as much as I could until I know God is faithful. I can rest in His promises and He doesn't turn back against His words. Neither have His words return to Him void. When He speaks His words to me, whether through the Bible or in our relationship, they always sound so firm. Even if some of His promises have yet to come to pass, it does not make me distrust Him, for I know His character to be faithful through my years of trusting Him. He was there in my worst times and He was there in my high times too! Because of His faithfulness, I can go through uncertainties in life. Regaining the ability to trust has helped me come out from many miseries and also sufferings. It is very torturous to always be suspecting on others. It makes one becomes defensive and I do not want that kind of life. I want a life of powerfulness and freedom. Knowing that Someone like God wants to and is being so faithful to me, it makes me feel that faithfulness and trusting are actually worthwhile.
The thing about God's faithfulness is He will be even when we are not. He has a lot of faith in us when we do not have faith in Him. It is always about saved by grace, belief by faith. As much as we may think it is unfair, it is actually something we are able to reflect this part of Him. For instance, even if our spouse or friend is not able to be faithful, we can still choose to be. It is actually us remaining steadfastly in what we believe in and not swayed by any circumstance or how another person is choosing his/her actions.
As promises are very important to children (and also to adults) and we get "But you promised" often from them, I too want to learn to honour my promises to my child. By modelling this, I hope one day he learns that trust can be practised in this world and we still believe in it as some can still choose to be faithful. In bad times, faithfulness shines its greatness the most because it is put to test. Faithfulness provides this great capacity of security in any relationship as it communicates and emphasizes that YOU ARE IMPORTANT to another party in the relationship.
Here's one of my favourite song on God's faithfulness. I would feel a kind of warmth most of the time I listen to this:
If you enjoy reading this post and would like to read more on the other topics I have written for this series, do feel free to link yourself to:
Fruits and Values Series #1: Love
Fruits and Values Series #1: Joy and Happiness
Fruits and Values Series #1: Peace
Fruits and Values Series #1: Patience
Fruits and Values Series #1: Kindness
Fruits and Values Series #1: Goodness
