Proof does not provide long term motivation:
You are wrong about that. But then it depends on the man. Proof was all that Paul needed. As a Pharisee, Paul was spiritually blind, He saw things the Jewish way and thought in those terms. No argumentation or reasoning from the scriptures could have convinced Paul. He saw and spoke with the resurrected JC in heavenly glory -he knew with certainty, but he still needed faith that he would receive his reward and getting the reward is future long term, but when God provides proof he concurrently provides friendship which is manifested with evidence of his holy spirit througout a person's life long term -some people walk away as I posted previously
Proof is something long term, it stays in your mind forever, it cannot be debunked, it will affect your thinking long term, forever. The only basis for Bible faith. A person is convinced for life.
But God does not just come to people until they show faith. Not only in expectation but in action.
I disagree somewhat, take Nicodemus for example, he concluded from the evidence not from faith .Take the preaching work of JC, God's Holy Spirit in action, God just comes to all kinds of people with proof. However, I agree that a person has to be rightly disposed to see the evidence. Proof from God is very special, it also affects a person's emotions and spirituality not only the mind. God's Holy Spirit is very visible. People cannot see because of spiritual blindness. But once they do, they start to see the evidence, Proving yourself is about receiving the reward which involves long term faith but before a person can have faith he needs something to base his faith upon which is not wishful thinking or idolatry. Take "Babylon the great's" followers, the Jews, Xtians, etc, they have faith without proof.