Real or not? It’s a question found in headlines on ESPN.com as writers wonder which MLB teams will prove worthy of making the playoffs.

How will teams like the Braves, Phillies, Nationals, Astros, and A’s play down the stretch? Who is a real playoff contender and who will reveal they don’t have what it takes?

Real or not can also be asked about Atlanta Braves’ 20-year old pitcher, Bryse Wilson. He made his Major League debut on Monday by allowing three hits in five scoreless innings to earn the 1-0 victory. According to ESPN, he is the youngest starting pitcher on record to win a 1-0 game in his debut.

Will this be the beginning of a special career and will he continue to prove he can handle pitching in the big leagues? As the Braves look to make a push for the playoffs, he’ll be tested to show he’s a real MLB pitcher.

In sports, players and teams can’t pretend to be a genuine winner for long because eventually the trials and tests of a season reveal who is the real deal and who is not.

In life, we can say and do the right things for a while and show glimpses of having true faith in God, but eventually, we are tested and tried. Whether we have a “real” faith or not is revealed when challenges arise “down the stretch.” Only authentic faith in God prevails.

1 Peter 1:6-9 (NLT) explains, “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold.

“So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

“You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”

Today as we pursue a faith that is real, let’s embrace the trials and tests that are upon us, proving that our full trust and hope is in Jesus. Let’s acknowledge we don’t have what it takes on our own…and need an authentic faith in the One who does.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can unpack that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I place my faith in You to get me through the tests and trials in life. Please strengthen me to withstand the fire as I desire to trust You fully. I know You’re worthy to be trusted. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.