Three and a half years ago I received that phone call that no parent wants to hear. "Mr. Butler, your son has been in an accident."

It was the chaplain at a hospital in Charleston, South Carolina. Our son was alive, but badly injured, and in critical condition. The good news for today is that he is still alive. He lives by himself in Atlanta, and is able to work.

The bad news is that he is confined to a wheelchair, and he still has a number of issues related to the paralysis of his legs. In fact, a week from tomorrow he is having surgery in hopes that some of these issues can be resolved.

That by itself is a cause for concern. But then there is the fact that only one surgeon in the United States is able and willing to perform this particular surgery. His operation will take place in Denver, Colorado. It is frightening, to say the least.

It is times like this that help us determine if our faith is real, or if it is just based on God’s protection for us. Do I really trust the Lord when life is not going the way I want it to go? Do I believe in him when it seems he is far away?

The devil accused Job of serving God only because God had "put a hedge around him." God said that was not the case. And so the Lord allowed the devil to put Job to the test. Job proved faithful, in spite of his troubles. He had questions for the Lord, but he continued to trust. He said, "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

It is easy to trust the Lord when all of the bills are paid, when I am healthy, and when life is coming up roses. The test is whether I will trust him when life is hard. We must remember this: The Lord is with us, no matter what. Will you trust him?