The author of Hebrews provides a definition of faith.
Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJV)
Here’s a radical thought: faith begins with hope! When Nehemiah became discontented with the walls of Jerusalem being in ruins, God gave him a steadily increasing hope that the walls could be rebuilt and that he could do it. If you are not discontented with the status quo there is no pathway to hope; but when you long for something better — to be all that God wants you to be — He gives you the hope it can be done.
Faith is also the substance or conviction of things “not seen”. I have found greater faith in prayer. As I have sought to know the mind of God by prayer, I have begun to sense what He is pleased with and what He is not. I cannot see God, but I grow in my faith in His existence by sensing Him responding to my prayers. The greater my faith in His existence — the greater is my hope in His plan for me.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.