If you’re going through Hell, keep on pushin… music affects me, as do movies, in a profound way. While I wouldn’t pick country music as my favorite genre, I’m open-minded enough that I will certainly listen if someone is musically talented. The lyrics below are from a song by a relatively new singer by the name of Rodney Atkins. I know very little about him but I do know this: lots of people I visit with seem to be going through some rough times. These lyrics of Atkins encourage the listener to hang in there no matter how tough things get. As he suggests, the tough times might even end before you know it. Read on…

Well you know those times when you feel like
there’s a sign there on your back
that says I don’t mind if you kick me, seems like everybody has.
Things go from bad to worse,
you think it can’t get worse than that
and then they do…

You step off the straight and narrow
and you don’t know where you are,
used the needle of your compass, to sew up your broken heart
ask directions from a genie in a bottle of Jim Beam,
and she lies to you…
that’s when you learn the truth.

chorus

If you’re goin’ through Hell, keep on going
don’t slow down, if you’re scared don’t show it
you might get out before the devil even knows you’re there.

I’ve been deep down in that darkness,
I’ve been down to my last match,
felt a hundred different demons breathin’ fire down my back
and i knew that if I stumbled I’d fall right into the trap…
that they were layin’

But the good news is there’s angels everywhere out on the street,
holdin’ out a hand to pull you back up on your feet
the one’s that you’ve been draggin’ for so long.
You’re on your knees might as well be prayin’
guess what i’m sayin’

chorus

If you’re goin’ through Hell, keep on going
don’t slow down, if you’re scared don’t show it
you might get out before the devil even knows you’re there.
When you’re goin’ through Heaven keep on movin’
face that fire, walk right through it
you might get out before the devil even knows you’re there

If you’re goin’ through Hell, keep on going
don’t slow down, if you’re scared don’t show it
you might get out before the devil even knows you’re there.
When you’re goin’ through Heaven, keep on movin’
face that fire, walk right through it
you might get out before the devil even knows you’re there

If you are facing something extremely difficult this month - and we all go through hard times in our life - I would encourage you to make it a point to find this song and listen to it. Whether you like this type of music or not, I believe it may provide a small bit of encouragement for you. May you keep on pushin… before the devil even knows you’re there!