Viv, every person mentioned in Hebrews 11 had proof from God -something that they observed and knew with certainty to be real- before they decided to have faith. Even myself, without convincing evidence, I would not be able to have any faith, my mind would not trust something subjective 100 percent. The mind trusts proof.
Given: Proof that God exists, proof that he cares, proof that he has power. -but no relief, for that faith is need.
Take for examples the wilderness trek, pillar of cloud, pillar of fire, the ten plagues, manna from the heavens, water from a rock, the red sea -and with all that proof Israelites still needed faith that God would keep his promise. This is jw 101.
The wt has tons and tons of commentary.