Words of Hope and Encouragement

Once upon a time, many moons ago, I was sixteen years old. My father was in the US Air Force stationed at Hickam AFB in Honolulu, Hawaii. What fun spending three of my teen years in Hawaii. I became a Christian while attending Hawaii Baptist Academy; the best thing that ever happened to me.

It was a warm Friday night when I joined a group of my friends. We were on our way to attend a Christian concert in Honolulu. The musician was fairly new and traveling around Hawaii. About a hundred of us crowded into an empty room in the top of an old office building. The band and their equipment located themselves at one end. The rest of us crowded together and sat on the floor.

The lead singer began with his testimony. Then he introduced his latest song. The words resonated throughout my being, touching me in deep places of my heart. To this day that song has never left me. Often in difficult times the words echo in my being, the Holy Spirit using the words to remind me that nothing is too hard for God Almighty. No matter what happens in my personal world or in the world at large, God is there. He gives hope and peace and encouragement in all situations.

Hundreds of times in my life this song has blessed me. I include the words here. Most of you will know the song. If you don’t, find it on YouTube and have a listen. May it bless you as it has always blessed me no matter how difficult the moments of troubling times. The musician and band playing in that small office space? Andre Crouch and The Disciples. The song? Through It All.

I’ve had many tears and sorrow. 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 come to only make me strong. 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. I’ve been to lots of places. I’ve seen a lot of faces. There’s been times I felt so all alone. But in my lonely hours, yes, those precious lonely hours, Jesus lets me know that I’m His own. 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. I thank God for the mountains. And I thank Him for the valleys. I thank Him for the storms He brought me through. For if I’d never had a problem, I wouldn’t know God could solve them, I’d never know what faith in God could do.