John 20
24 Now Thomas (also known as Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25 So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26 A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28 Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Faith is defined as the belief in, confidence in, or trust in a person or thing. Jesus was always teaching about Faith! Thomas has heard all of the teachings, knows that the tomb was found empty, and still he has problems believing that Jesus has been raised from the dead. He wants physical proof. Thomas is just a little hard headed, probably would have made a great Engineer. Us Engineer types like to see things, study things, and analyze things to obtain at least a 95% confidence level. My wife calls it beating a topic to death. Faith is a stretch to our “logical” minds.
How much confidence is required to be considered having enough faith? Jesus taught that faith the size of a mustard seed (1-2 mm in diameter) could accomplish amazing things, (see Mat 17:20) A mustard seed doesn’t sound like a lot of faith, maybe only a twenty or thirty percent confidence level worth of belief. After all, Jesus wasn’t asking for a gallon jug sized faith or even just a teaspoon sized portion. All we need is a mustard seed sized faith and our belief is enough to move mountains.
Thomas gives me hope. Jesus was patient with him. Jesus gave him what he needed to be able to believe. I am my own worst stumbling block, but I know that I can count on Jesus, to help get me to where I need to be. I can stop trying to rationalize every little detail and act on faith. Faith that Jesus is exactly who He claimed to be. Faith that God’s promises outlined in His word, will come to be, just as He claimed they would. All for the Glory of the Father through the Son.
Ed
Sixty-six books in a year 
My son is named Thomas and he is the engineer type you speak of and he had the exact same issues that the disciple Thomas had. Funny how you can live up to your name. What amazes me is that the disciple Thomas ended up probably traveling the farthest and working among people the most different from him to spread the Gospel (India). As you say, Thomas gives me hope…