What is the value of faith?

[Tenet Nosce]

I would concur that faith is a very loaded word. If I may make a bold conjecture, it appears to me that certain words have been specifically targeted for distortion through societal institutions and the media. Then again, perhaps it is just part of how things work in a dualistic environment.

Sooner or later- every word will come to mean its opposite. Thus I observe those who use "faith" as an excuse to be lax about their own spiritual growth, and who "trust" that Jesus is going to come save them from themselves.

The best definition I have come across (and by "best" I mean most amenable to my personal biases) is that faith is the belief/understanding that "All Is Well" despite appearances to the contrary.

However, even given this definition, I find some fear within myself around this. I wonder- by taking up the lessons of faith does that increase or decrease the frequency and intensity of said "appearances to the contrary"? In other words, in my intention and practice of being faithful am I actually drawing to myself more catalyst that is meant to test my faith? Or by being more faithful does the catalyst become more subtle?

My intuition tells me it is the latter, but my rational mind seems to favor the former.