R.E.M.

Everybody Hurts

R.E.M. is a band that was alternative in the early 80's but soon made the transition to the mainstream. Some of the early songs were unique and a bit difficult to decipher the lyrics. (think "driver 8") The musical sound is what made them standout in their appeal to many fans of the alternative genre. They have been known to dabble in the political/moral areas of society with some of their lyrics. However, they are not anywhere near the level of Midnight Oil in their outspokenness. My personal taste is that I can enjoy some of their music and leave some of their music.

What about the theology in any of their songs?

Here is a song that many will recognize but few may know the full lyrics:

When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone, when you're sure you've had enough of this life, well hang on. Don't let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes. Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it's time to sing along. When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on) if you feel like letting go, (hold on) when you think you've had too much of this life, well hang on. Everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends. Everybody hurts. Don't throw your hand. Oh, no. Don't throw your hand. If you feel like you're alone, no, no, no, you are not alone If you're on your own in this life, the days and nights are long, when you think you've had too much of this life to hang on. Well, everybody hurts sometimes, everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes. And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. (repeat & fade)(Everybody hurts. You are not alone.)

The theology of everybody hurts is essentially humanistic. The song acknowledges that pain is a part of life and that everybody experiences it to some degree. The song implores the hurting one to keep from harming himself/herself because of the dire circumstances. There are two solutions for making it through this time: 1st Use your own strength to make it through "hold on, hold on" 2nd Rely on your friends to help you in the struggle. This is a very humanistic solution to handling pain and struggle in this world.

What does God say?

The Christian has a source to overcome the rough times in life. Philippians 4:6-7 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

The Lord Jesus Christ is our true place of comfort because He will work His will in us. He will also respond to our situation through prayer according to the will of God. The result should be a peace in the midst of life's struggle that God is sovereignly in control.

What a greater comfort to have in a trial than this. It shows the lyrics of the song "hold on, hold on" to be incredibly worthless advice!

The song does make a good point about friends. Or should I say fellowship! The appeal to others is not bad advice during a struggle. However, the believer has even greater comfort by seeking other believers in the local Church for encouragement. I am reminded of the Scripture found in Ephesians 4:29 "Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moments, so that it will give grace to those who hear."

This song is a reminder that humanism brings no encouragement and is really fatalistic.