The dictionary describes it as belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religions/ a system of religious belief/ belief that is not based on proof.
This is a mistaken definition of faith. People all over the world exercise faith in a host of things that have nothing at all to do with religion. They do this, not in a reasonless vacuum, but because they have a certain body of facts that serve as a basis for the choice to have faith in x, y, or z. As an example, one could cite something as simple as sitting in a chair. If you've never sat in a particular chair before, you must trust that, as with all other chairs you've sat in, this one will support your weight. Even though you have absolutely no personal experience of the ability of this chair to hold you, you don't think twice about sitting in it. However, in the moment it takes you to actually sit down on the chair and experience its capacity to hold you up, you exercise faith. You sit, not because you
know that this chair will absolutely hold you, but because your experience with other chairs strongly supports the likelihood that this chair may be sat upon also. In other words, until you actually sit in the chair successfully, you only
believe it can hold you up, you don't truly know that it can.
Concerning faith the Bible says:
"Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." (Heb. 11:1)
In other words:
"Faith is believing a thing is so,
When it appears not to be so,
In order for it to be so,
Because it is so."
What does it mean to "have faith" in God? Does it mean to believe without proof?
No, not at all. God gives us plenty of reason to believe.
What does it mean when someone ask you about "your faith"? Are they asking about your religion?
THat depends upon the person asking. You'd have to clarify with each one what is actually meant.
I feel like I'm missing an important concept here about faith, but I can't find the words to express it.
Been there. Didn't like it.
Peace.
