Lyrics
Verse 1
I gotta be honest, this life has taken turns that I never wanted, It's kinda chaotic
Spend all of my time living up in my head, prepping my mind for another upset
Strip it all back till the only thing left is you, nothing but you.
Chorus
Even when it hurts, I'm not letting go
For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know
Come pain, come heartache, it is well with my soul
For the Lord my God is faithful this I know, this I know
Verse 2
I've learned to get what you want's maybe not what you need
I've learned that faith is a fight and it's more than you see
I've learned that pain is a gift when it leads you to Christ
I've learned that beauty can dawn from the darkest of nights.
Bridge
When I'm swinging my fists, taking hard hits, feelin like I'm gonna break
When I'm holding back tears, counting lost years, watching my dreams slip away
Go on and let it cave in, get me out of my skin I've been getting in my own way
Need you to do whatever it takes, whatever it takes.
Video
Meaning & Inspiration
“This I Know” by Ryan Stevenson is an honest song about faith through pain. The first verse admits that life has taken turns the singer never wanted, that he spends time in his head preparing for another upset, and that he strips things back until only God is left. The chorus keeps hold anyway: “Even when it hurts, I’m not letting go, for the Lord my God is faithful, this I know.” The words “it is well with my soul” echo the hymn by Horatio Spafford, which is based on trust in God amid loss.
The second verse lists what the singer has learned: that wants are not always needs, that faith is a fight, that pain can be a gift when it leads to Christ, and that beauty can dawn from the darkest nights. This is close to Romans 5:3-5 and Psalm 30:5.
The bridge is raw, with swinging fists, held-back tears, and slipping dreams, and it ends with a prayer for God to do whatever it takes. The message is trust in God’s faithfulness, even when it hurts.
Related Scripture
- Lamentations 3:22-23 Great is God’s faithfulness
- Romans 5:3-5 Suffering that produces endurance and hope
- Psalm 30:5 Joy comes in the morning