Faith and Trust

Faith: Belief without evidence. When I listen to the words of others I have faith what they say is true.

Trust: Belief with evidence. When I look at the evidence of their actions which shows me if there is negative trust or positive trust. Negative trust, you never do what you say you will, so I can trust you to not live up to your words.  Positive trust, your words and actions are integrated.

With faith we step forward in a relationship and hope that what the other person is telling us is the truth about them. We can think of any relationship we have had, we meet someone and over a period of time they will give us evidence by words and actions that will help us to determine the type of trust that is built between us. Will there be NEGATIVE trust or POSITIVE trust.

What is negative trust? Negative trust is build when I tell my child over and over again I will do something with them on Saturday.  Saturday comes and I never do what I said I would do.  Each time I have a reason and each time I say I am sorry and each time I say please understand I just have a lot going on right now.  My child wants to believe and trust me; however the only evidence they have is I don’t do what I say I will do.  This evidence is the building of negative trust. It is the bases then for all other interactions between us. My child begins to understand that when I speak the words are only words.

Positive trust: I follow through on what I said, when I say I will do something I do it.  I demonstrate to my child they can trust the words I speak knowing there is integrity woven in them by the actions that follow.

This occurs in all relationships; with partners, mothers, fathers, family and friends. Let my actions demonstrate the foundation of my character everywhere I go. My destiny lies in my words and actions.