Trust is one of those issues I give lots of thought to and I've concluded that we can only trust ourselves. Having faith is maybe a better way to put it.
I have faith in people if they show they are really trying hard. I trust until I know otherwise. I put myself in the other person's shoes. Have I broken people's trust before? Probably. Did I set out to do it on purpose, not at all. I had every intention of living up to my end of the bargain but my own weaknesses took over.
When asked the same question 'how can I make you trust me?', my answer usually is: There isn't anything you can or can't do to make me trust you. That is my process to work through. I know the risk I take in putting my faith in you. All I can hope is that you choose to do the right thing and hope that you do.
I don't want someone avoid doing something that may hurt me because they are afraid of my wrath, I want them to do it because it is what they know they need to do.