Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. Faith is taking hope and bringing it into reality by refusing to believe what anyone other than God has to say about the matter. It is believing God's word and not your physical senses.
Faith requires action.
And faith requires some action on our part, like saying that we believe wh at God has said. Faith acts as if what we requested from God has already happened and the matter is settled whether we can physically tell it or not. Because faith is based on the promises we have in the bible. One of Christ's followers, Thomas had walked with Jesus, and seen the miracles but still could not believe that Christ had risen from the grave. Thomas said he would not believe until he saw and touched the nail prints and wounds in Jesus' body.