DAVID INGRAM

In the landscape of Gospel music, faith is often not only the subject of the songs—it is the driving force behind their creation. This includes Karen Peck and New River’s song “That’s What Faith Looks Like.” You may remember it from Southbound, but it’s been re-imagined by Karen Peck and New River. Through its lyrics and the testimony of Karen Peck Gooch, the song paints a picture of what it means to live by faith amid life’s uncertainty.

At its core, “That’s What Faith Looks Like” brings us through a series of human interactions that illustrate belief in action: a mother praying for her child’s safety, a mourner offering praise at a graveside, a believer clinging to divine promises during private struggles. The song does not attempt to define faith in theological terms; rather, it shows how faith is lived out in quiet, often painful, moments.

The lyrics begin by acknowledging the difficulty of articulating faith to someone who has never experienced it.

“If you’ve ever tried to tell an unbeliever what it means to put your faith in a God you have never seen… They still wonder how your heart can be so sure.”

From there, the song transitions to more grounded examples, suggesting that the evidence of faith is not found in abstract ideas but in real-life choices—trusting, surrendering, and praising in the face of adversity.

Karen Peck Gooch, longtime member of Karen Peck and New River, offers insight into the message through her personal life.

“I’m gonna live what I believe. You know, the thing is, I believe that Jesus is Lord. I believe that I am not alone. I believe that God placed me on this earth for a reason and that’s to serve him and to glorify him.”

Her sentiment is found in the final lines of the song.

“I’m going to live what I believe. Trust what I can’t change. Follow where He leads. Unafraid and unashamed.”

This is the intersection of personal conviction and lyrical content for a gospel sinner.

“There are circumstances beyond my control. And I am not gonna understand everything that happens in my life. And you know what—I’m not supposed to. Because if I understood everything that happened in my life, there would be no reason to live by faith.”

The lyrics give us familiar examples—grief, prayer, and perseverance—”That’s What Faith Looks Like” connects with listeners who find themselves navigating similar paths. Rather than offering explanations, it offers identification. The refrain,

“I can’t explain it any other way, except to say that’s what faith looks like,”

Listen for That’s What Faith Looks Like throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!