Did you tackle that trouble that came your way
With a resolute heart and cheerful?
Or hide your face from the light of day
With a craven soul and fearful?
Oh, a trouble's a ton, or a trouble's an ounce,
Or a trouble is what you make it,
And it isn't the fact that you're hurt that counts,
But only how did you take it?
You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what's that?
Come up with a smiling face.
It's nothing against you to fall down flat,
But to lie there -- that's disgrace.
The harder you're thrown, why the higher you bounce;
Be proud of your blackened eye!
It isn't the fact that you're licked that counts,
It's how did you fight -- and why?
And though you be done to the death, what then?
If you battled the best you could,
If you played your part in the world of men,
Why, the Critic will call it good.
Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce,
And whether he's slow or spry,
It isn't the fact that you're dead that counts,
But only how did you die?
So, how will you die? Will you die "saved?" Or will you die unsaved? That is the #1 question of life. It is the most important question because it determines your eternal, forever, future condition. Your eternal destination will be either in heaven or in hell. No, it is not predetermined. It's your choice!
The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible describes death as a separation of the body from the spirit, the consequence of sin, and a temporary state for believers who have eternal life through Jesus Christ.
Genesis 2:7: "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul." Note: We are not a body, soul and spirit, of three things. Our body and spirit (spirit being the breath of life), when joined, become a "living soul."
Romans 6:23: "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Ecclesiastes 12:7: "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it."
Psalm 116:15: "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."
1 Corinthians 15:55: "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
Revelation 21:4: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away."
The Gospel Message is the Christian "Good News" that Jesus Christ died on the cross for our human sins and rose from the dead to offer free salvation to all mankind. God made mankind to walk and talk with God and to live with purpose. The Problem of Sin is that everyone thinks evil things and does wrong things, sinful things, which breaks our friendship with God and creates a spiritual block we cannot fix ourselves. Jesus took the punishment for human wrongdoings by dying on the cross, paying our death sentence for us, and coming back to life three days later, thus also proving that He is God in the flesh. The free gift of Salvation is that God offers forgiveness and eternal life as a gift that people receive through faith, not by trying to earn it with good deeds. Jesus suffered the death we sinners deserve. Our sins are covered by the blood shed by Jesus when we exercise faith in Him and accept the wonderful and free gift of Salvation. Believe, repent, and start living a changed and Jesus-centered life: That is the Gospel Message!
This song is Copyright © 2026 by Robert K. Lewis. Lyrics are by Edmund Vance Cooke (1866-1932) and are in the Public Domain. Samplings are Copyrighted by their respective creators. The completed song is A.I. generated by MusicHero.ai and is Licensed to Robert K. Lewis. You may link to this song, but not embed or reproduce this song elsewhere on the internet.
