In biblical stories of testing, character is not affirmed until action takes place-namely obedience to God's commands in which faith or trust in God is the dominant ingredient. Jesus' disciples during a ferocious squall on the Sea of Galilee had their faith tested to the breaking point. Like Jesus' original disciples, God's current called-out saints still have at least a toe, a foot, a leg, or even a large part of their body in the world as they try to come out of it, failing to fully understand how to use God's gift of faith—a belief that God exists and will do what He says. Faith is not merely wishing, hoping, or a positive mental attitude, nor is it a temporary surge of emotional enthusiasm, fear of punishment, or guilt. Sadly, our deceitful human nature manufactures 12 counterfeits for real faith, including: 1.) wishing, 2.) hope, 3.) a positive attitude, 4.) emotional enthusiasm , 5.) fear of punishment, 6.) fear of a worse alternative, 7.) guilt, 8.) peer pressure, 9.) intimidation, 10.) resignation or hopelessness, 11.) self-righteousness, and 12.) stubbornness. We should never be in a condition to lose control of our emotions, realizing that all of us will eventually have our faith tested like the patriarchs of old, but will find peace by believing in Jesus Christ, Who has already overcome the world. If we rely on our turbulent, mercurial feelings, we could easily be led astray. Faith is a refusal to panic, no matter what, keeping quiet, and exercising self-control over external circumstances, realizing that all things work together for good for those who love God, understanding that the testing of our faith is like refined gold.