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Martin Collins, reflecting on Abraham's obedience to God, observes that character is determined by response to tests. Obedience and concrete works must follow and prove the existence of faith. Real saving faith is a gift from God, but we are obligated to walk by this faith, developing incremental levels of faith through obedience. The episode in which the disciples feared for their lives in the tempest on the Sea of Galilee, and Peter's denial of Christ, demonstrates how vulnerable our faith actually is. Some of the counterfeit substitutes for faith include wishing, hope, a positive attitude, emotional enthusiasm, fear of punishment, fear of a worse alternative, peer pressure, guilt, intimidation, resignation or hopelessness, self-righteousness, and stubbornness. Realizing that we will inevitably be tried in the genuineness of our faith, we should rejoice in the trials knowing that it will produce godly character. Faith is not merely an emotion, nor something that acts automatically, but requires purposeful activity, impervious to outward conditions or circumstances, refusing to panic, but instead to assert ourselves, reminding ourselves that God is always faithful and will always lead us to something better. Regardless of the outward circumstances, God is never unconcerned, but desires a positive outcome from the trial of our faith. Even a weak application of faith will enact a positive response from our Heavenly Father.

Abraham Action Anxiety Belief Calming of the sea and wind Character Circumstances Counterfeit faith Emotion Emotional enthusiasm Faith Fear of punishment Fear of a worse alternative Hope Jacob Obedience Panic Peer pressure Perspective Positive attitude Prayer of faith Resignation or hopelessness Sarah Self-righteousness Sincerity Situation Steadfastness Stubbornness Tests Testing Thermostat analogy Trial of faith Unbelief Wishing

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