Faith...for starters

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." 
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."
"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."
-Hebrews 11:1

Faith is unwavering, unquestioning, undisturbed by what things "look like". Faith is seeing what may not actually appear in the natural, physical world just yet. Faith is knowing it is still there and still happening. Faith in God is knowing without any doubts or uncertainties that He is faithful, He is loving, He has a Good Plan and it is always in effect when we walk in His Will. When troubles come:

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith,... Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.... So, do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the Will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For,... we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved[!]"
-Hebrews 10:22-23, 35-39

I like to think of the story of the woman with the issue of blood. She just knew, just had complete absolute confidence knowing, that Jesus could heal her; and that all she needed to do was 'touch' Him, and her healing would be manifest. At the moment she brushes the hem of his garment, God acknowledges her faith by confirming to her that, indeed, it was her faith that brought about the physical healing. She had already been healed, you see, the act of touching His robe was simply a natural moment in which God could make an example of her faith. 

Take the faith of the centurion whose daughter died, her body resting at his home. He had faith knowing Jesus' authority extended beyond the natural realms, so He did not need to physically go to the soldier's home; Jesus could simply command healing in the spiritual, and it would be. And, it was. Healing by faith.

Of course, faith is no joke, and it must be sincere, and it must be acted upon:

"Without faith it is impossible to please God."
-Hebrews 11:6
"Faith, by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
-James 2:17

So, what is a believer to do? Well, can I state the obvious? BELIEVE :)
Simply believe that whatever we ask according to the Will of God (we'll get into this later), in the Name of Jesus, has already been done so we thank Him NOW for the manifestation of that thing. Healing has already taken place, so we thank Him as we ask Him for it in faith KNOWING that our faith itself is PROOF that it is happening.

I can't not get excited about a God like that and the authority He gives us access to in His Name. There is SO much power in faith, but I think plenty to process here for now :)