I've been coming out of hiding for a minute now
I know that I've been changing
I know that I've been changing
How about you
I've been longing for my life to feel like solid ground
I'm asking deeper questions
And laying down my weapons
How about you
Life plays hard, it's true
I'm feeling it too (how about you)
Just wait for sunrise
We'll make it through
I've been finding that I'm brave enough to be myself
Sometimes I think I'm failing
I'm learning to be patient
How about you
How about you
Life plays hard, it's true
I'm feeling it too (how about you)
Just wait for sunrise
We'll make it through
How about you
How about you
You
Life plays hard, it's true
I'm feeling it too
Just wait for sunrise
We'll make it through
How About You
How About You Song Meaning, Biblical Reference and Inspiration
Audrey Assad's song "How About You," featured on her 2016 album *Inherit the Earth*, offers a tender and honest look at the process of personal growth and vulnerability. The song's accompanying video was released on February 23, 2016, further sharing its contemplative message. It immediately establishes a tone of introspection and quiet honesty, inviting the listener into a space of shared experience.
The opening lines describe a difficult but necessary emergence – "coming out of hiding" – and the acknowledgment of ongoing transformation. This process is linked to a deep yearning for stability, wanting life to "feel like solid ground." The lyrics also speak to the courage required for this journey, involving "asking deeper questions" about oneself and life, and the significant act of surrendering conflict or defensiveness, portrayed metaphorically as "laying down my weapons."
A core part of the song lies in its acknowledgment of shared human struggle. The line "Life plays hard, it's true" validates the difficulties faced by everyone, met immediately with the resonant response, "I'm feeling it too." This creates a sense of solidarity amidst hardship. Yet, the message is anchored in hope, encouraging endurance with the assurance, "Just wait for sunrise / We'll make it through," suggesting that difficult periods are temporary and dawn will arrive.
The journey of change detailed in the song includes finding the strength to embrace authenticity, stating, "I've been finding that I'm brave enough to be myself." This self-acceptance is presented not as a destination but a process, acknowledging moments of imperfection ("Sometimes I think I'm failing") and the necessary virtue of patience along the way. It speaks to the grace required in navigating one's own growth.
Crucially, the repeated question "How about you" transforms the song from a purely personal reflection into a powerful invitation for connection. It reaches out to the listener, breaking down potential isolation by fostering empathy and mutual vulnerability. It encourages a space where shared struggles and ongoing growth can be acknowledged and supported between individuals.
The themes explored in "How About You" resonate deeply with spiritual concepts found in scripture. The desire for "solid ground" echoes the biblical idea of building one's life on a firm, secure foundation (Matthew 7:24-27). The act of "laying down my weapons" can be understood in light of seeking peace, reconciliation, and letting go of internal or external conflict. The courage to "be myself" points towards the inherent value and unique design God places in each person. Furthermore, the message of enduring difficulty and waiting for "sunrise" powerfully reflects scriptural themes of hope in the midst of darkness and the promise of new beginnings or restoration (Psalm 30:5, Malachi 4:2). The song's central invitation to shared experience aligns with the biblical call to bear one another's burdens and encourage fellow travelers on life's journey (Galatians 6:2, Hebrews 10:24-25).
Through its vulnerable lyrics and gentle melody, "How About You" offers not only a window into personal growth but also extends a hand of solidarity. It is an inspirational song that reminds listeners that the challenging, messy, and beautiful process of becoming is a shared human experience, navigated with hope and the potential for connection.