Faith is a word we sometimes throw around loosely. It's one of those words that we use so much that the meaning becomes worn and unclear. The writer of Hebrews defines faith for us. Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.
Faith is much stronger than belief.
Surveys show time and time again that if you ask average Americans if they believe in God, they will overwhelmingly answer yes. Belief in something is when you are stranded on the top of a burning building and down below are firefighters with a large net. You can believe all you want, but belief alone will not save you. Faith is when you jump. Faith saves you from the pending disaster.