Unreliable

Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. Proverbs 25:19

We’ve all been there. You were counting on someone to do what they committed to do, and they let you down. Didn’t show up. Found something better to do. Or used the old “I forgot” excuse which didn’t make the disappointment any easier. God takes that kind of irresponsibility pretty seriously and compares the experience to physical pain. When you have a bad tooth, you try to avoid chewing with it. When you have a broken foot, you steer clear of putting weight on it. You can’t trust those wounded body parts. It hurts too much. And we can’t trust friends or family members who continually let us down.

Family trees usually have a root or two that is deadwood. Everyone knows who they are. You “accidentally” don’t invite them to the birthday party. You can’t count on them to bring the assigned item for family dinners, so you plan dinner without their contributions. The relatives nod knowingly and whisper behind their backs. “Don’t tell her. You know how she is.” Maybe you’re that unreliable person and never realized it. When people cannot trust your word, the relationship stays surface deep. People won’t put weight on a broken foot, and they won’t put faith in someone who may or may not follow through on a promise.

Are you the unreliable person in your family or friend group? 

A new reputation begins with admitting our flaws and holding ourselves accountable for changing them.