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.