Through It All (I’m Still Learning)

I first met this Andrae Crouch song a few years ago. I wrote about it then. I’ve come back to it on a number of occasions…

I’ve had many tears and sorrows
I’ve had questions for tomorrow
There’s been times I didn’t know right from wrong
But in every situation
God gave me blessed consolation
That my trials came to only make me strong

It’s a personal song that reflects on life – including the tears, the questions and uncertainties. It speaks of faith that gives strength in the hardest times. As I listen I reflect on and identify with general principles of life and faith; I remember particular events or situations…

I’ve been to lots of places
I’ve seen a lot of faces
But there were times that I felt so all alone
But in my lonely hours
Yes, those precious lonely hours
Jesus lets me know that I was His own
Sometimes… birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas… we look back… parents, leaving home, marriage, children, work, church, retirement…. I look back on really good mmories and darker periods. The longer I live, the more I have to look back on. Getting older puts good times and difficult times into perspective.

Through it all
Through it all
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus
I’ve learned to trust in God
Through it all,
Through it all
I’ve learned to depend upon His word

My faith started when I was a child. I started learning about trusting Jesus, that God was my Father, that Jesus was the good shepherd, that He would speak to me through His word. Knowledge in my head became a decision of the will, an experience in my heart, and a practice in my life. Learning to trust continued – and continues – through my life.  

So I thank God for the mountains
And I thank Him for the valleys
And I thank Him for the storms He’s brought me through
For if I’d ever had a problem
I’d never know that God could solve them
I’d never know what faith in God could do
It’s good to look back through life and thank God for everything. Some of the tough stuff I can see has had good results, so thanking God is easier. Sometimes I thank God through gritted teeth, because I still have questions. I’m still learning to thank God for everything.

Through it all
Through it all
I’ve learned to trust in Jesus
I’ve learned to trust in God
Through it all,
Through it all
I’ve learned to depend upon His Word
…And I’m still learning!