When Our Faith is Tested
- Trace Pirtle
- Aug 13
- 5 min read
Updated: Aug 13
"Always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." - 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)
The Tourist vs. The Mountaineer
"Testing" is as much a part of the human condition as breathing. God designed it that way, and, like breathing, it can be easy or difficult depending on the conditions.
Imagine we decided to climb Mount Everest. We've never climbed anything higher than the ladder to a slide at the local park with our kids. We know nothing about the Himalayan mountains or the regions of Tibet or Nepal. We received a brochure that said, "Climb Mount Everest! We have the most qualified Sherpas to get you and the other clueless vacationers to the summit, and for a cool $66,666, you too can say, 'I did it my way!' Make sure you bring sunglasses and sunscreen. Otherwise, we have you covered."
Sweet! Sign us up! What's the worst thing that could happen?
But what if we were serious about climbing Mount Everest? What is the secret to success? Being prepared. If you are prepared for the time of testing, you can breathe easier when faced with the mountain.
The Only Guide Who Is the Way
If I wanted to climb Mount Everest, I would only follow the most experienced sherpa—someone who knows the best way and has done it himself. I would still know the risks, but I would have faith in his ability to keep me safe. But if I want to ensure I have eternal life, I must follow Jesus:
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'" - John 14:6 (NKJV)
There is only one way to the top of His mountain—only one Guide who knows the Way, has been there before, paid the price for us to get there, and is now seated at the right hand of the Father.
This is the prerequisite for passing the first "test" of faith: Do we believe Jesus is who He says He is, and have we given our lives to Him?
Prepared Faith vs. Sunday Tourism
This isn't casual trust—like having one foot in trusting a sherpa and the other in trusting Jesus. The chasm across the abyss is too vast to straddle. This is the Sunday Christian who shows up with sunglasses and sunscreen, convertible top down on their Mustang, believing all roads lead to heaven. They can't understand why their faith crumbles when the climb goes vertical.
"And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" - Hebrews 9:27 (NKJV)
Part of being prepared is knowing that whenever the "climb" ends—whether in youth or old age—we're ready to stand before Christ. Will you sit in the Judgment Seat with sunglasses on, awaiting the heat? Or will you breathe relief as Jesus says, "Your sins have been forgiven…welcome to paradise!" How we prepare for this moment may determine if we stand or fall when faith is tested.
Testing Is Promised, Victory Is Certain
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" - John 16:33 (NKJV)
Every believer faces trials where faith is tested. Job endured multiple tests. Paul faced countless tribulations. D.L. Moody watched the 1871 Chicago fire destroy his church, home, and possessions—even losing congregation members in the flames. Yet they remained standing with deeper faith than before.
How many times has our own faith been tested? Are we still standing with stronger faith, or have we secretly put on sunglasses, quietly questioning, blending into Sunday morning masses? Lukewarm faith crumbles under trials, especially those involving innocent lives taken unexpectedly.
When Our Faith is Tested: Kerrville, Texas Flood 2025
My community is dealing with such a trial when our faith is tested.
On July 4, 2025, a devastating flood swept through our town of Kerrville in the Texas Hill Country. Our town was simply in its path along the Guadalupe River, but before reaching us, it had already taken the lives of 27 young girls who were attending Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp. The water was mindless and carried away these young lives, their stuffed animals, and their footlockers that held prized belongings.
On its way, the water took the very young through the very old. It took individuals, and it took families. As the floodwaters swept through, carrying trees and RVs, cars and trucks, houses and people holding hands, it left some behind and took others. Some were left in trees 30 feet in the air, awaiting helicopter rescue. Others clung to beams and trees for hours before help arrived.
As of today, one month and nine days later, the death toll is at 135 dead and two still missing. Handmade wood crosses and treasures of those lost line the sidewalk near the dam at Nimitz Lake. Other temporary memorials around town serve as reminders of those lost and how our individual and collective faith is tested at a time like this.
The Prepared Response: No Goodbyes, Only "I'll See You Later"
But those who are prepared for life's mountains of floods and fires will fare better than those who are unprepared. It is only through our faith in Jesus that we can continue climbing when the flood waters recede. For us, we know that there are "no goodbyes, only I'll see you later." How comforting that is, despite the loss, to know that a single breath is all that separates us from this life and heaven.
So when we read God's words through the Prophet Isaiah, we can have confidence that Jesus is speaking to each of us who put our faith in Him. He even tells us that some of His own will pass from this life to the next through the waters, but He is with them. So when our faith is tested in various forms, remember:
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you" - Isaiah 43:2 (NKJV)
Related Posts:
D.L. Moody Related:
About the Author
Trace Pirtle is a Christ-centered writer and a fellow pilgrim on the narrow path. He encourages believers to move beyond religious routine into a deeper, daily walk with Jesus.
Comments