Mustard Seeds and Children

Dear God,
I was reading about "faith" today. Hebrews 11:1 says: "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11 goes on to talk about different people in the past that lived by faith in you. Then, in verse 13, it says that all of the people mentioned that lived by faith were still living by faith when they DIED and that they did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance.....THEN, in Chapter 12, it tell us these people surround US as witnesses and that we should throw off everything that hinders us and run with perseverance the race before us. I am not sure how to take this. It almost doesn't seem fair that these people died BEFORE receiving what they had faith in. It seems having "faith" isn't necessarily the act of receiving stuff. It seems to encompass a great deal more than that to me.

What do I hope for that I am sure about and what am I certain of that I can't see? Your word says that we only need faith the size of a mustard seed and to believe with the heart of a child for it to be real in our lives. Why is it hard for some people to live by faith? 

Love,
Me:)

{Daily Scripture Reading: Hebrews 11:1-40, 12:1-2}
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2011:1-40&version=NIV
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews%2012:1-2&version=NIV

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Hebrews 11:1