Chapter 86—Sharing Confidences
Trustworthiness Brings Peace of Mind—Christ inquires of ev-
eryone professing His name, “Lovest thou Me?” If you love Jesus, you
will love the souls for whom He died . A man may not bear the most
pleasant exterior, he may be deficient in many respects; but if he has a
reputation for straightforward honesty, he will gain the confidence of
others. The love of truth, the dependence and confidence which men
can place in him, will remove or overbear objectionable features in
his character. Trustworthiness in your place and calling, a willingness
to deny self for the purpose of benefiting others, will bring peace of
mind and the favor of God.—
Testimonies for the Church 4:353
(1879).
Reaction to Betrayed Confidence—Until the judgment you will
never know the influence of a kind, considerate course toward the
inconsistent, the unreasonable, the unworthy. When we meet with
ingratitude and betrayal of sacred trusts, we are roused to show our
contempt or indignation. This the guilty expect; they are prepared for
it. But kind forbearance takes them by surprise and often awakens
their better impulses and arouses a longing for a nobler life.—
The
Ministry of Healing, 495
(1905).
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Our Confidant Is Jesus—There are few who rightly appreciate
or improve the precious privilege of prayer. We should go to Jesus
and tell Him all our needs. We may bring Him our little cares and
perplexities as well as our greater troubles. Whatever arises to disturb
or distress us, we should take it to the Lord in prayer. When we feel
that we need the presence of Christ at every step, Satan will have little
opportunity to intrude his temptations. It is his studied effort to keep us
away from our best and most sympathizing friend. We should make no
one our confidant but Jesus. We can safely commune with Him of all
that is in our hearts.—
Testimonies for the Church 5:200, 201
(1882).
A Caution Concerning Confessions—Never encourage men to
look to you for wisdom. When men come to you for counsel, point
them to the One who reads the motives of every heart. A different
spirit must come into our ministerial work. No persons must act as
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