Hope

WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN YOU’VE DONE ALL YOU CAN?

As Director of the International Forgiveness Institute for the past 15 years, I have learned to believe in the Power of Forgiveness—an awesome power delineated on our website. In short, we must use that power to rid ourselves of destructive emotions in order to discover peace and happiness because the two cannot coexist. If you choose positive emotions, you will live a fulfilling life.

Jesus often spoke about forgiveness, forgave those who sinned against others, forgave those who sinned against him, and asked the Church to continue his healing ministry. Jesus taught, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Mt 6:14). Peter asked Jesus how often it is necessary to forgive, and Jesus replied, “Seventy-seven times” (Mt 18:22), a number to be taken symbolically, not literally, for the never-ending way that we ought to forgive.

Despite that, there may be times when you feel you’ve hit rock bottom, that there is nothing left to lose, that things cannot get any worse. When I’ve reached that place in the past, when I’ve needed help reviving and restoring hope, the key for me has been to listen to and meditate on the words of “Stand” by Donnie McClurkin—whom I consider one of the greatest Gospel music artists ever. I suggest you try it as well.

• Listen to the original rendition of Donnie McClurkin’s inspirational song “Stand”
• Visit Donnie McClurkin’s website.

Here are the lyrics to “Stand”:

 [Verse] What do you do when you’ve done all you can And it seems like it’s never enough? And what do you say when your friends turn away, and you’re all alone? Tell me, what do you give When you’ve given your all, and it seems like you can’t make it through?

[Hook 1] Well you just stand when there’s nothing left to do you just stand Watch the lord see you through Yes after you done all you can, You just stand

[Verse 2] Tell me, how do you handle the guilt of your past? Tell me, how do you deal with the shame? And how can you smile while your heart has been broken and filled with pain? Tell me what do you give when you’ve given your all Seems like you can’t make it through?

[Hook 2] Child you just stand, when there’s nothing left to do You just stand Watch the Lord see you through Yes, after you’ve done all you can You just stand.

[Hook 3] Stand and be sure Be not entangled in that bondage again You just stand, and endure. God has a purpose. Yes, God has a plan.

[Verse 3] Tell me what do you do when you’ve done all you can And it seems like you can’t make it through Child you just stand You just stand Stand ( 2x’s)

Don’t you dare give up (You Just) Through the storm (Stand), Stand through the rain (Stand) Through the hurt (Stand), jet through the pain (You just) Don’t you bow (stand), and don’t bend (Stand) Don’t give up (Stand) , no, don’t give in (You just) Hold on, (Stand) just be strong (Stand) God will step in (Stand), and it won’t be long (You just)

[Last Hook] After you done all you can (After you done all you can) After you done all you can (After you done all you can After you gone through the hurt (After you done all you can) After you gone through the pain (After you done all you can) After you gone through the storm (After you done all you can) After you gone through the rain (After you done all you can)

Prayed and cried (2x’s) (After you done all you can) Prayed and you’ve cry(After you done all you can) Prayed and cry

After you done all you can you just stand

Licensed to YouTube by WMG (on behalf of Word Entertainment); BMI – Broadcast Music Inc., Bluewater Music Services Corp, Polaris Hub AB, CMRRA, Abramus Digital, LatinAutorPerf, and 10 Music Rights Societies.

NOTE: Donnie McClurkin is one of the world’s top Gospel music artists with over 10 million albums sold worldwide.