Pet Sounds: A series in which teaching staff and students from the English Department reflect on a piece of music or song. [Read all entries.] [Revisit the “Headspace” series.] [Revisit the “Ongoing” series.] [Revisit the “Interrogative” series.]

This scene used to keep popping up in my mind: I am crying so hard in a taxi rushing to the hospital after a policeman called and informed me about the death of someone dear to me. From time to time I had been terrified at the thought of a sudden death of my loved ones. It haunted me. I was an insecure person.

In the movie The Shack, the protagonist Mack loses his daughter Missy. He questions God for allowing such a tragedy to happen in his life. His emotional recovery begins, however, when God appears to heal his brokenness. As the feelings of rage, doubt and pain subside, Mack accepts Missy’s death. His encounter with God has changed him and birthed within him an unshakable faith in God. In times of trouble, Jesus reminds Mack to keep his eyes on Him and find comfort in Him.

Every time I hear stories about someone mourning for the death of a loved one, I try to relate to them by thinking—‘What if this happened to me?’ I still have this fear of losing someone important (everyone does); yet Scripture reminds me that God helps cast out fear in my life.

Personal stories, whether uplifting or frustrating, are influential in equipping us to comfort others. I believe that, as the protagonist in The Shack receives comfort from God, he prepares himself to pass the comfort to someone else. No life is painless. Our sufferings in life can be used to care deeply for others. My sufferings drive me to keep my eyes on Him even more. Whenever I look back, I see blessings in all my difficulties. Perhaps it is more of Him keeping His eyes on me than the reverse.

I hope you will find comfort in the song “Keep Your Eyes On Me” by Tim McGraw and Faith Hill from The Shack.

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Olivia Kwok is a graduate of the Department of English (Class of 2016). [Click here to read all entries by and about Olivia.]