Trust in God,being that step,the ease into allowance of more expanded experience of god so you become more one with god and or self(if u see the two as separate)Trust is allowance of conscious flow.I am not in 100% conscious connection with God 100% of the time,that to me is when I reach a state of being truly one with the Father/Divine mother(consciously aware).Love is the 'glue that holds the universe together'.It is the essence of all things.Love is in constant flux,is begattment.What is the higher self,what is the christ consciousness?I think it is when u are in constant conscious connection with the source/Father at all times.When u have moved into the space of begattment and are growing without interuption of the human ego.In truth one needs not an external example of something that reminds them of God.One needs not a guru,a picture,a holy book,or anything else.If one said that they are one with the father and they knew it within every fibre of their being then they would be.Yes,I suppose one requires a little bit of information,but yes,Faith is not knowing,nor is trust or beleif.However,faith is an attittude to bridge the perceived gap(limitedness,forgotten,some Buddhists call it suffering)so one can continue their focus when one has forgotten.If by saying that Oh I'll just have faith is being a way of just being slack and making an effort,then that is folly/unconsciousness.God helps those who help themselves.Help however,could also imply that one is not self sufficient,not in the fullness of conscious connection with god.God has allready given.The 'writing'of the book between God and man has allready been written-every possibility,done!The book between man and god is yet to be written.Key word is BETWEEN-implying separateness,but only on our part.Would love to chat more but I have to go, bless.....