Is faith just a word? Surprisingly, the word is a transitive verb which means "action" towards a particular object and since Christ is the author and finisher of our faith, then our faith is an active and ongoing process.
Encyclopedia Britannica defines faith as follows: "Greek Pistis, Latin Fides, inner attitude, conviction, or trust relating man to a supreme God or ultimate salvation. In religious traditions stressing divine grace it is the inner certainty or attitude of love granted by God himself. In Christian theology, faith is the divinely inspired human response to God's historical revelation through Jesus Christ and, consequently, is of crucial significance".
However, I like to think of Hebrews chapter 11 as the "faith hall of fame", and the author opens by summarizing faith in just one sentence: "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (vs. 1). And in my own words, I offer the following explanations of the substance of faith.
Faith is like a deep well that is filled with living water; if that water is not used, does it not then become stale? So too is faith, as faith not used will also become stale. And although the earth is filled with darkness even at high noon, yet the blind man sees.
Faith is like a moonless night that brings forth darkness as a promise of the light to come. Like a ship sailing under a starless night, so too are those who walk without faith; and even if you are at the helm of your ship, can you calm a storm or the storm tossed waters? Nay, for the conflict is not between men, the conflict is between man and God over the rule of his destiny and his destiny lies in the hands of God.
Faith does not know that there will be a tomorrow, but hopes that there is. There is no life in yesterday. Yesterday is but a memory in time. There is no life in tomorrow, for tomorrow is only a hope, and without faith, there is no hope, for even dogs have faith in their masters.
Faith has a beginning and an end and we are all somewhere in the middle. Faith is the evidence of things not seen, but the hope for them. Therefore, hope for that which is not seen, and know that which is hoped for will come about, for God is the author and the finisher of our faith.
© 2011
Judy Azar LeBlanc Award Winning Author
"Life Interrupted, It's Not All about Me" 
Title: The Treasures of Darkness