Have you ever consciously defined trust? The word trust apparently derives from older expressions that include confidence, reliability, and character. To trust something or someone is to have confidence in it/them, to rely on it/them, or to depend on the character/construction of it/them.
When some says, "Trust me," I have been trained to take a closer look at what they are saying. My experience is such that people who ask for my trust are not as trustworthy as those who I am able to trust as a result of my personal experience with them. I can also more easily trust people or things based on the report or recommendation of people I already trust. And vice versa.
When I think of the word trust, I am reminded of the first verse in Hebrews chapter 11 of the Bible. In the most recent translations, this verse contains the definition of faith. I find the word trust and faith almost interchangeable. One version says that faith is being sure of what you hope for, and certain of what you do not see. When I trust, I am certain of what I am hoping for and I want to be certain of what I do not see. If I have experience, I am more certain than if this is the first time I am placing my hopeful confidence in a person or thing.
Trust can be a mechanical action like when I turn the key of my car and hope with certainty that it will start. And it can be a decision like when I hand my keys to one of my kids and I hope with certainty that they will return themselves and my car happy, healthy, and whole. Trust for me becomes more certain with personal experience.
The more often my certain hope is reinforced, the faster I place my trust. Of course when my certain hope is not satisfied, I am more reluctant to reinvest in that person or thing. I think like the old adage, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me," is an example of my trust thinking.
I place my trust for a number of reasons. One reason I trust is to save time. When I need something done, I look for someone who has done it before. The more they've done it and the longer they've done it, the easier it is for me to trust them and to follow their example or to hire their experience.
Another reason I trust is because I am not a recluse. I like being around people and in order to go out in the world, I give my trust to people who are driving, who are trading my money for a service or product, and I give my trust to the environment to keep me alive and healthy. These almost uncontious trusting actions are a true necessity to live a normal life.
I like to be able to trust. I am uncomfortable when I can't. I prefer to interact with things and people I am able to trust. Whether I am trusting by necessity or by decision, trust is something that I am unable to operate without.
Tested Reliable Undoubtful Seasoned True
This post is a submission to the ActiveRain / Adobe EchoSign Trust Contest. I could possibly win a prize. You can find out about the contest by clicking here.
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