Faith Tested

 In 2008 I was on parole when a difficult situation occurred involving my stepdaughter Aubrey.

She had been caught doing something serious that she wasn’t supposed to do, so I disciplined her

with a belt. During the incident she tripped over an ottoman and injured her hand.

Her sister, who had been listening outside the door, believed Aubrey had been seriously hurt and

called the police.

As a result, I was arrested for child abuse.

Because I was already on parole, the charge placed me in danger of returning to prison.

I couldn’t afford an attorney, so I was assigned a public defender. While in jail I heard rumors

that the case might be dismissed if the witnesses did not appear in court.

So I wrote a letter to my wife asking her not to come to court.

After writing the letter I placed it beside my bed so I could mail it in the morning.

Then I heard the Spirit ask me:

“Is this where your faith rests?”

The voice continued:

“Are you putting your trust in them not showing up to court?”

I answered, “No. I have faith in you.”

Then the Spirit said, “Tear up the letter and show your faith.”

It was a difficult decision, but I tore up the letter.

That night I cried myself to sleep repeating the words:

“The Lord is my refuge. He will deliver me.”

A few days later I appeared in court.

My attorney tried repeatedly to convince me to take a plea deal. He even claimed there were

photographs of bruises and that my daughter was ready to testify.

Still I refused.

When the judge called my case, he dismissed the charges.

Moments like this taught me that faith is not just something we say we have—it is something

that must be tested.

Looking back, I see that God allowed the situation so that my trust in Him could grow stronger.

Sometimes the trial itself is the place where faith is established.